Namibia Wild Dog Project

Background
At the turn of the last century explorers, farmers and naturalists recorded reports of wild dogs from all regions, even into the Namib desert during periods of good rains when herds of game freely roamed into these areas in search of seasonal food.

Currently wild dogs can only be found at very low densities in the isolated NE of Namibia. It is estimated that 300-600 individuals remain where only 5% of their range is within protected areas. Wild dogs are considered to be Namibia's most endangered mammal species and continue to be widely persecuted in all but the most unpopulated areas.

The African Wild Dog is now both Africa’s and Namibia’s most endangered large mammal and carnivore. Wild dogs represent a challenge for modern conservation because viable populations require vast areas to persist – yet Africa’s rising human population offers, in most regions, smaller and smaller areas for wildlife conservation.

Wild dog populations have been decimated in the past 30 years. Formerly distributed throughout 39 sub-Saharan countries, today between 3000-5000 animals remain in perhaps 14 countries. Even though listed as Endangered (C1) by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) since 1977, the population continues to decline in the absence of similar support for species such as the rhino and elephant. Large predator declines are setting alarm bells ringing in conservation circles and the African wild dog is at the top of the list.

Namibian Wild Dog Project
The Tusk sponsored Namibian Wild Dog Project’s (NWDP) aim is to gain a better understanding of the interactions between wild dogs and humans and to find ways of mitigating the conflict while researching other threats to wild dog conservation in Namibia. The NWDP, run by Robin Lines, looks to link social and ecological approaches to conservation by working closely with people - ultimately trying to find ways of optimising benefits from African wild dogs through tourism, while understanding their ecology and conservation threats within the actual and potential conflict zone. The NWDP is a long-term interdisciplinary study and conservation initiative.

Working with various communities, including San Bushmen, Herero tribesman, Namibian and Afrikana farmers, the project aims to use the data recorded and information gained to change the mindset of those communities, which have traditionally persecuted the dogs primarily out of ignorance, falsely blaming them for their livestock losses. The key objective is to reduce the decline in dog numbers and to demonstrate to the communities that the dogs have a real value in terms of helping to attract tourism.

Tusk has contributed towards operating costs, telemetry equipment, a freezer, training, vehicle running and communication costs.

Etosha National Park
NWDP is currently working with communities bordering Etosha NP on a potential reintroduction of the species. A successful reintroduction could double the national population in ten years and further, provide opportunities for bordering communities to engage in specialised tourism. This would generate a significant diversified income at a time when climate change is predicted to severely impact on traditional income sources such as livestock farming, which have accelerated the desertification process across much of Namibia.

Tusk through the Cycle of Life initiative have provided funds for community outreach in and around ‘core’ wild dog range, Tsumkwe District, with additional environmental education to bordering areas and key stakeholders

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