Zimbabwe’s Hwange landscape is an important stronghold for painted wolves. The Umkhonto Pack success story over the last several years is due to Painted Dog Conservation’s (PDC) holistic approach to painted wolf conservation, including intensive monitoring, community engagement and anti-poaching measures.
Once again, the Umkhonto Pack has chosen to den close to communal lands where snaring is a significant threat. The den site is also just 500m from the busy Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway. This major transport route connects Bulawayo to Victoria Falls.
The location puts the pack at high risk from fatal road collisions as they cross the highway daily to hunt and drink.
PDC quickly coordinated 24/7 protection for the pack with their own Anti-Poaching units and Tracking and Monitoring teams. They also engaged external units, including the Mabale Community Anti-Poaching volunteers, supported by funding from the Painted Dog Fund.
The Mabale Community Anti-Poaching Unit is a PDC initiative that engages local community members in the protection and monitoring of painted wolves, particularly during the denning season when packs and their pups are especially vulnerable.Speed humps and warning road signage has been placed between Gwai and Dete. PDC also conducted a road awareness campaign to educate motorists about slowing down and the dangers to themselves and wildlife, in a collaboration with ZimParks, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe.
We are proud to be supporting PDC and the Mabale Anti-Poaching Community unit again this year as they continue their best efforts to protect this vulnerable pack.
