Hi everyone,

Good news! I managed to get two GPS data logger collars onto the wild dogs a couple of days ago.  We put one onto an adult male from the Maera pack and one onto an adult female in the Jacana pack.  Both collars store the GPS positions of the individuals at certain times – we’ve set ours to record positions at 5:00a.m., 7:00a.m., 9:00a.m., 12:00 noon, 6:00p.m., 8:00p.m. and 1:00a.m.  That way we get information about where they rest during the middle of the day and the middle of the night, and where they go hunting.  It will be extremely valuable information.

Also, the political situation here is a bit worrying at the moment, and if for any reason we have to leave the field at short notice, it will be good to know that those collars are at least collecting some information for us!

Picture of the scout team with the immobilised adult female

I was a little concerned about disturbing the pups at one of the dens where we collared the female dog, but just as we finished the collaring, and came back round to the den to check that the newly collared individual had joined the rest of the pack, all the pups were out and playing, and clearly not remotely bothered by us!  A wonderful sight – and there are 14 pups now, not just 12… I’m sure they multiply every time I see them!

The dogs and pups at the den

Anyway, will be back with more news soon.

Bye for now,

Rosemary

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