Wild dogs are barely hanging on to survival in Namibia. As our most endangered carnivore, wild dogs deserve more attention and conservation action.
On the 28th of August, in celebration of African Wild Dog Day, the Namibian Youth Chamber of Environment, in collaboration with Kalahari African Wild Dog Conservation Project (KAWDCP) hosted a webinar to discuss the status of the African wild dog in Namibia. Nadja le Roux and Stella Emvula from KAWDCP shared their knowledge, highlighting the conservation challenges of this endangered species and encouraging young people to get involved in protecting them.
Overview of African wild dogs
The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), also called “painted wolf”, is a wild canine native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are opportunistic predators that hunt medium-sized animals, such as impala, springbok and kudu. In a sprint, African wild dogs can reach speeds of more than 70 kilometres per hour. Their distinctive blotchy coats are unique to each individual, much like a fingerprint, allowing field teams to identify them by coat patterns and ear notches.
Nadja le Roux discussed the importance of African wild dogs within the African carnivore guild and their role in biodiversity and tourism. The species is critically endangered in Namibia, with an estimated population of about 350 individuals, contributing to only 10% of the global range. The biggest threat to wild dogs is human-wildlife conflict, while habitat loss and diseases from domestic dogs are other known threats.
She highlighted the species’ unique ecological and social characteristics, including their adaptability and strong social bonds within packs, their ability to thrive in diverse environments as well as their nomadic movement patterns outside of denning season. She explained that the social structure of wild dog packs is critical, as only the alpha male and female breed, making them particularly susceptible to population declines when packs are disrupted.
© KAWDCPKAWDCP research and conservation goals
The distribution and population of African wild dogs outside Namibia’s protected areas remain uncertain. However, what is clear is the high level of persecution by farming communities. KAWDCP aims to address this through:
- Disease prevention: Conducting animal health studies to reduce risks from domestic animals.
- Conflict resolution: Identifying high-conflict areas and developing mitigation approaches with communities.
- Building coexistence: Understanding human-wildlife interactions and developing educational programmes to strengthen environmental stewardship.
- Research: Using telemetry and other technologies to better understand wild dog movements, ecology and habitat use.
Findings on African wild dog home range and movement patterns in Namibia
Stella Emvula shared her findings from telemetry studies in the Ondjou communal conservancy. This study has provided the first data from GPS collars on wild dogs outside national parks in Namibia. This data helps to identify habitat corridors and inform management interventions.
Emvula showed that the home range estimates for the collared dogs were around 1,067 to 1,626 square kilometres, exceeding typical averages of 560 and 760 square kilometres for wild dogs in other countries and environments. The study found significant seasonal variations, particularly during denning periods when home ranges contracted. Additionally, the dogs showed a preference for areas further from roads and closer to rivers, indicating their movement patterns are influenced by resource availability.
Status update on African wild dog conservation efforts in Namibia
Nadja le Roux outlined the organisation’s purpose to conserve free-ranging African wild dogs through research, community engagement and disease prevention. She noted the rising human-wildlife conflict, particularly in conservancies bordering Botswana, and the emotional toll it takes on local communities when they lose their livestock to wild dogs. The discussion included examples of severe persecution of wild dogs, such as intentional killings and the destruction of dens, which poses a significant threat to their survival.
© KAWDCPThe alpha female of the Eiseb Pack was caught in a gin trap, causing severe damage to one of her back legs. The KAWDCP brought in a vet to examine the leg, and the best option was to amputate it (dogs can still run on three legs). Later, they discovered that this pack had a den of puppies, which would most likely die if their mother – the alpha female – was lost. The rest of the pack may also disintegrate without an alpha pair. The conservation team therefore coordinated a temporary capture, veterinary assessment and managed relocation for the whole pack. The alpha pair remained stable, the pups thrived, and the pack’s social bonds were maintained under strict management procedures, preserving the functional breeding unit for eventual release onto a secure reserve.
Nadja le Roux explained the animosity farmers feel towards wild dogs and the importance of raising awareness about their endangered status. She noted that while there is significant anger, many farmers also feel a connection to wildlife and land, which can be leveraged for conservation efforts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, le Roux shared her perspective on what it takes to work in wildlife conservation, stressing that attitude is more critical than academic qualifications. She recounted her own experiences of starting in the field, where she had to earn her place through hard work. She encouraged young people to approach the field with excitement and a strong sense of responsibility, while also being prepared for the challenges of long hours and isolation during field work.
The conversation highlighted the need for increased awareness among farmers regarding the endangered status of wild dogs and the potential for coexistence. The session concluded with a call for youth involvement in conservation and discussions about potential future projects.
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