Wild Dog conservation in the UPNR

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has asked us to share some insight into their Greater Kruger Wild Dog Project.

They also extend their heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable assistance provided by the UPNR and APNR.

Below is a summary of their Project Overview, which is available for sharing, should you like to read it. The maps and data are particularly interesting, so feel free to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a copy.

Summary from Project Overview:

Of the approximately 650 critically endangered Wild Dogs in South Africa, roughly 450 of them reside and remain within the Greater Kruger National Park, which includes the APNR and the Umbabat PNR. As part of the project’s most vital roles, there is immense effort being placed on monitoring Wild Dog movements, largely using sightings and GPS collars, while also gathering data about health, behaviour, population dynamics and demographics.

Alongside this, it is essential to create and maintain safe spaces for Wild Dogs.

Considering GPS collars are one of the most valuable and reliable resources available to assist in achieving these goals, it is important to understand what benefits it can provide to conservationists. Here is a summary of the most important benefits:

• Allows for long-term population monitoring, including early detection of concerning trends and “flagging” of high-risk factors or areas
• Aids in the early detection of disease outbreaks such as rabies or canine distemper
• Can aid in the real-time reduction of human-wildlife conflict by alerting conservationists when packs have left protected areas or enter high-risk areas
• Allows for accurate location of active den sites, which can assist in ensuring sufficient protection and monitoring (to reduce stress and enforce viewing protocols for safety)
• Allows for precise and rapid responses in emergency situations, such as snaring, diseases, poisonings, human-caused injuries or vehicle collisions).

How you can help:

Please report any Wild Dog sightings directly to Ronja, EWT’s field officer, via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - or to the Conservation team at Ingwelala, who can pass the information along for you. The most important information to record is:

• Location of the Wild Dog(s) - a pin drop or screenshot of GPS co-ordinates works best
• The total number of Wild Dogs in the pack, or as many as you can count
• If you can, record the sex of the Wild Dogs - male or female
• The age of the Wild Dogs - adults or pups
• Photographs! These can be immensely helpful when identifying each individual, especially side profiles of each Wild Dog.

If you’d like to support the project in other ways, please reach out to Ronja directly for information on what assistance they may need. Thank you!

(Information summarised from EWT’s Greater Kruger Wild Dog Project Overview for the UPNR, as requested and authorised by Ronja Haring, Field Officer of the Carnivore Conservation Programme (EWT).)

Words by Tess Woollgar. Image courtesy of Rick Roper.