The Umkhonto Pack grew from 6 members to 22 in 2 years, a success story for the species in Zimbabwe that can be attributed to Painted Dog Conservation’s (PDC) holistic work providing intense monitoring of the packs, widespread anti-poaching measures and impactful community outreach.
But when PDC learned the alpha female was pregnant and moving into a snaring hotspot outside of Hwange National Park to den, they mobilised quickly.
The team took quick action to gently guide the pack to a safer denning area, but the alpha female circled back and chose a den site in a poaching hotspot bordering Hwange National Park. The pack faced heightened threats in this area, including snaring and fatal collisions with vehicles on nearby roads.
PDC quickly deployed community networks and resources to expand efforts, engaging teams from neighbouring communities to work alongside their anti-poaching units. They pulled together their full anti-poaching team and stationed them in three remote areas surrounding the den. They were supported by the Mabale Community Volunteers, a group from the local community that decided to band together to protect their own wildlife.
The team of 70 men and women worked to monitor and protect the pack around the clock. They removed snares and watched over the den and the pack, even ensuring that members could cross the busy road nearby without incident, despite speeding trucks and cars. Their heroic and constant efforts gave the pack a real chance to raise their pups successfully in a risky area.
Of the 22 members, 21 survived together with the litter of 8 pups.
The Painted Dog Fund is proud to have funded the Mabale Community Volunteers this year. Without their dedicated efforts the Umkhonto Pack story may have ended in tragedy.
