Zimbabwe Wild Dogs

Hi all,

Everything seems to have been a bit overshadowed by the terrible rabies outbreak. In situations like this it’s important to remember that, despite these awful deaths, the Save Valley Conservancy still hosts a globally significant population of wild dogs, and these numbers increase during the denning season. Amidst this rabies outbreak its encouraging to see the Star pack pups thriving, and we are hopeful they will continue to do so. Here are a few photos of this litter, now confirmed as 11 pups!

11 pups

Pups with yearling

Pups playing

Pups

Cute pup

The Bedford pack have now stopped denning, and their 3 pups are getting bigger and bolder each day. It’s possible the alpha female may have a second litter, so we’ll keep you posted about that.

The Maera pack may also have stopped denning, as they have now left their most recent den and the 9 pups are of the right age now.

We’ve also found a new den in the south of the conservancy; very promising, as the Mavericks pack was the only known breeding pack down there! The pups have not emerged from this den yet, but I will post some news of that den early next week when we know more.

Needless to say we will be keeping a very close eye on all packs following this rabies outbreak, but particularly those in the south of the conservancy who may have been in contact with the Mavericks pack.

Becky