African wild dog working its way back : 06-05-2008
The African wild dog, the second most endangered carnivore on the continent could receive a boost after it was revealed that packs had been introduced in some South African game reserves.
Currently, the Kruger National Park is home to the only wild dog population in the country but smaller reserves such as the Limpopo Nature Reserve will also receive smaller groups of the animals.
According to reports from the Daily Telegraph, the park is attempting to establish a population of the wild dogs.
Speaking to the newspaper, Wendy Collinson, a volunteer for the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) who is working on the project, said: "Eight years ago there were no wild dogs on Venetia. The project began when first four males and subsequently five females were brought in from outside."
She said the dogs were extremely quick and fast moving, making them difficult to track - even with radio collars.
As the park continues to rehabilitate the animals back into the country there are also plans to link up with the Mapugubwe National Park.