In July 2021, eight African wild dogs were successfully translocated to Liwonde National Park in Malawi. We are delighted to announce that after seven months establishing themselves in their new environment, pups have now been seen by visitors and caught on camera!
Six weeks after the pack, composed of five males and three females, arrived in the park, nine pups were confirmed using a camera trap and are believed to be the first litter born in the country after many years. Over the last few months the pack have moved den sites several times and so far, all eight adults and nine pups, which are now five months old, appear to be healthy and well-adjusted to their new home.
With only 6,600 African wild dogs estimated to be left on the continent, the translocation of 14 individuals to Liwonde and Majete Wildlife Reserve in July 2021 was completed in collaboration with Endangered Wildlife Trust and Malawi’s DNPW, with core funding support from Remembering Wildlife, and represented a major international effort to conserve this Endangered species.
“The Wild Dog is one of Africa’s most Endangered mammals, so we’re extremely proud to have been able to establish safe spaces in Malawi where their long-term survival can be assured”, said the Director of Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Brighton Kumchedwa. “The conservation of our country’s natural heritage is central to our national development strategy. Over the past two decades, our collaboration with African Parks and local communities has helped to restore multiple iconic species to our protected areas, contributing not only to meeting global biodiversity targets but to sustainable economic growth”.
Collective conservation efforts, including reintroductions into feasible, safe, protected areas, are crucial to enabling the African Wild Dog population to grow and thrive. The translocation last year was possible thanks to the core support of Remembering Wildlife’s new book Remembering African Wild Dogs, with additional support from Painted Wolf Wines, Tania Ihlenfeldt and Rob Hibbert, and The OAK Foundation. It would also not have been possible without the support of operational partners:
African Parks, Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação, the Bateleurs, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Gorongosa National Park, Green Dogs Conservation, the Karingani Game Reserve, the Department of Economic Development Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Maremani Game Reserve, Mozambique Wildlife Alliance, Somkhanda Community Game Reserve (Wildlands), UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve, and Wildlife ACT.
