Wild dog and cheetah survey in Kruger National Park – You can help

08/10/2008 12:17:05

Help with the survey and win 2 nights at a private game lodge

From August 2008 to April 2009, the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Carnivore Conservation Group (EWT-CCG) will again team up with South African National Parks (SANParks) to conduct the 5th Wild Dog and 3rd Cheetah Photographic Census in and around the Kruger National Park (KNP). Members of the public can provide valuable assistance to this project and stand a chance to win great prizes by submitting photographs of any Wild Dogs or Cheetahs seen during their visit to the region.

Only viable Cheetah and wild dog populations in South Africa
The Kruger National Park is home to one of the only viable Wild Dog and Cheetah populations in South Africa. As such, an understanding of population dynamics in the Kruger is essential for the conservation of these species. They are the rarest of the park's large carnivores and their low densities and wide-ranging behaviour make them particularly difficult to count. Fortunately, researchers are able to recognise individuals of both species by their unique coat patterns, thus enabling an estimation of minimum population size.

Submit your photos
Members of the public are encouraged to submit photographs of Wild Dogs and Cheetahs seen during their visit to the region, and report all sightings to a Census Hotline, manned by EWT's field researcher Mariana Venter, on 076 725 5242 or census@ewt.org.za. Submissions should also include details of the location, time and number of Wild Dogs or Cheetahs seen. All photographs will be entered into a competition. The project spans the length and breadth of the Kruger National Park, as well as the private nature reserves on the park's western border, and Limpopo National Park to the east.

Wild dogs in decline
The first Kruger National Park Wild Dog photographic census was completed in 1989 and since then surveys have been conducted roughly every five years in 1995, 2000 and 2005. Wild Dog numbers have fluctuated between a peak of 434 (1995) and a low of 120 (2005). Cheetahs were added to the census in 2005, at which time 103 individuals were identified. The 2010 census has been pulled forward by one year, as previous intensive studies in the southern Kruger National Park came to a halt in 2005, and it has been some time since any detailed information was gathered on these populations.

Win two nights at a private game lodge
Participants stand a chance to win two nights at Tinga Private Game Lodge, and will also be contributing to the long-term conservation of these beautiful creatures. Entry forms are available at all gates and rest camps in the park, and sightings can also be reported to the Census Hotline Number (076 725 5242) or census@ewt.org.za.  Please visit www.ewt.org.za for more information.