Wildlands recently gave us an update on their Wild Dogs. Thank you to those of you helped make the project such a success.
The past few months have been relatively busy for the field rangers and Wild Dog monitoring team at Somkhanda Game Reserve. The UHF/VHF collar on one of the male dogs stopped working and needed to be replaced. A new collar was then supplied and fitted by the team and vet, Dr Mike Toft.
Above: One of the male dogs having his new collar fitted
The importance of monitoring cannot be underestimated and this was highlighted in a snaring incident involving one of the male Wild Dogs late in February. This snare caught the dog around the neck, but because he was being monitored, Somkhanda management was able to get to him quickly. Dr Toft then removed the wire and treated the resultant injuries. The collar on this dog is called an anti-snare collar and is structured in a way that prevents snares fatally closing around the throat of the animal. Despite this, he still sustained a serious injury, and is now recovering in the Reserve’s boma. The pack visits him daily and he is eager to get out and join them during their hunting trips. He is doing well and will be released as soon as his injuries have recovered sufficiently.
Above: The male dog looking healthy, recovering in the boma, after the snare removal.
We are always thankful for the hard work and quick-thinking of the Wildlife ACT Fund monitoring team. Thanks must also go out to Different.org for their continued support of the Somkhanda Game Reserve and this species.
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