Project Update May 2006 - Translocation African Wild Dogs from Pilanesberg N.P. to Hwange N.P.

Dear Wild Dog friends,

May turned into one of those months we will never forget, thanks largely to a single exercise concerning the translocation of 16 African wild dogs from South Africa to the Rehabilitation facility in Hwange. A quite exhausting 4-day operation was the culmination of many months' negotiation and frustration.
In August 2005 we received a letter from the South African North West Parks Board, asking if we were interested in receiving a pack of dogs from Pilanesberg N.P. which were “surplus” to requirements. In fact the letter stated that they had heard that we would be interested. Rather surprised with the “surplus to requirements” aspect, we none the less spoke to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA), who immediately supported the proposal and issued the relevant paperwork within a week.

Then we waited, and waited, for the go ahead from South Africa, looking at our crowded diaries, almost on a weekly basis, to see when we could make a trip, if and when we got the go ahead. Months went by, during which time we heard that certain elements in South Africa were suggesting euthanasia for the “surplus” pack!!
This strengthened our resolve of course and we remained determined, the translocation taking on more of a rescue mission now in our hearts and minds.
The Pilanesberg management clearly wanted the dogs to come to Zimbabwe and the communication channels remained open, euthanasia was not an option to them either.
Finally, this month, we received the final confirmation that the translocation had been approved.

Early Friday morning, June 2, saw us driving to the facility that was holding the dogs. The South African vet and his team prepared their equipment as we prepared ours, aiming to fit protective collars to each dog at this stage so that we would not have to put the dogs through the stress of a further immobilization prior to their release. The process began, the vet darting each dog in turn and his team bringing them to us, a collar fitted, identification photos taken of each one before they were placed in the back of the truck.
After approx two hours we had the 16 dogs in the truck and the vet gave them reversal injection to wake them up. Now we could set off on the arduous drive to Hwange. For the dogs benefit, we had to keep driving as they relax and sleep together if the vehicle keeps moving, however once it stops, they often wake up and can become stressed at being in a relatively confined space.

We reached the border at 11pm and after three hours of queues, more red tape and more queues, we were in Zimbabwe, with only another 8 hours to go!! A quick refuelling stop in Bulawayo, a cup of coffee and we continued as the sun rose behind us.
We arrived in Hwange at 9.30am, completely exhausted. However the remarkable reception committee immediately revitalized us. The Zimbabwe Minister of Environment, ZPWMA officials from Head Office in Harare and Hwange Main Camp and the national media were all there to greet us. This compared to the fact that we did not meet a single official from the South African National Parks Board during the whole exercise, which was rather surprising and a bit disappointing.

Many people, too many people, are quick to criticize Zimbabwe, however this exercise alone shows the level of commitment towards conservation, which exists within the country and many of its officials. The dogs have settled in well and we will hold them now for two or three months before releasing them into the wilds of Hwange National Park.

Hattem, 14 June 2006 / George In der Maur / African Wild Dog S.O.S. Fund


Daryl Balfour: A dog of a dilemma.
    Africa Geographic, October 2004, page 17.

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