Zimbabwe Wild Dogs

Hi folks,

Before the year continues to run away with us, I wanted to let you all know how your donations were used in 2009.  Altogether the project received about $2800 which we used mainly to buy drugs (and associated accessories) to help to de-snare wild dogs or help other wildlife, such as this buffalo calf which we rescued from a slow and agonising death caught in a snare.

Just one bottle of the main drug used to immobilise herbivores costs $575, so we were very grateful for the donations that allowed us to purchase this.  We still have plenty left for this year as well.  Fortunately, all the other drugs are much cheaper, and we spent a further $1000 buying carnivore immobilisation drugs, reversal drugs, human-antidote drugs, antibitoics, antihelmintics etc.  We spent another $250 or so on darts, needles, antiseptic sprays and gas cannisters for the dart gun.  All of this was put to good use many times during the year, helping to remove snares from wild dogs and remove a collar that was was too tight from a lioness.

As many of you know, Rueben’s wife tragically died in August last year, leaving a 2 week old baby daughter.  Many of you donated money to help Rueben buy the powdered milk that he needed for his daughter. The total amount raised for Rueben was US$220 and this kept his daugher fed for 6 months – we just spent the last of that money last week, on another tin of milk powder.  His daughter, Chiedza, continues to do well, and Rueben wanted me to thank you again for your donations. 

US$500 will go towards our rabies vaccination efforts this year (more on this to follow), and the rest of the money raised (c. US$280) was put towards Rueben and Misheck’s salaries in 2009.

So thank you all once again for your support.  Please keep it up.  We have big plans for this year, and need your support to help us achieve them.  Donating is now quick and easy (and totally secure), and every little helps.  Specifically we are still trying to raise funds for vaccination campaigns, and for Rueben and Misheck’s salaries.

Thank you from us all at the Zimbabwe Wild Dog Project

Hi folks,

I recently realised that I talk a fair amount in this blog about our two wild dog scouts, Rueben and Misheck.  Given that they are critical members of our small team, I thought it would be appropriate to start the new year with a proper introduction of them, especially for those who are new to the blog.

Rueben

Rueben has been with the wild dog project since 1997 – that’s 13 years!  Prior to that he worked as a rhino scout for several years.  He knows the 3500km2 of the Save Valley Conservancy probably better than anyone else and in this alone he is an enormous asset to the project.  In addition he is an exceptional wildlife tracker, and has an uncanny ability to be able to predict wild dog behaviour.  He’s a loyal, honest, hard-working team member and is a genuine pleasure to work with.

Rueben lives in a village not far from the western boundary of the conservancy.  He has 5 children – 4 boys (all at school) and his baby girl Chiedza who was born last year.  After his wife died shortly after she was born, Chiedza is being looked after by his wifes sister…

Rueben will be taking his driving test in a couple of days – I’m sure you will join me in wishing him good luck!

Misheck

Misheck has been with the project for 10 years, and he too is an extremely valuable member of the team.  He’s a hard worker, and an excellent wild dog tracker. 

Misheck also comes from a local village.  He is married with 4 children and seemingly countless neices and nephews! At home, Misheck and his family grow maize and cotton.

Given Rueben and Misheck’s skills and dedication to the project, along with understanding the difficulties they face with trying to support such a large family during these hard times in Zimbabwe, we would like to increase both of their wages considerably this year, and be in a position to help increase their skills base (like paying for Rueben’s driving test).  We are asking for your help to do this.  Please consider either sponsoring one of the scouts on a monthly basis using the monthly donation tab on the right of this page, or making a one-off donation which we will put towards their salaries.  To do that through this blog is quick and efficient, so it will only take a moment of your time to make a huge difference to Rueben and Misheck and their families.

Given all our exciting and challenging plans for 2010 (see the last post) all of us here at the wild dog team  are going to be working extra hard this year, and we are going to need your support. 

Thank you and best wishes from Rueben, Misheck and Rosemary

All of us from the Zimbabwe Wild Dog Project would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers and supporters a very merry Christmas.  Rueben asked me to send extra special greeting and thanks to those who helped him to feed his baby daughter during the very difficult time after his wife died.

And I would like to add a personal extra thanks to those who have donated to our project this month: Pirjo (twice!), Russell M, Brenton H, Richard F, Yogatama D, Cathy A and Trish W. All your donations this month will go towards protecting the wild dogs against rabies, which is our current most urgent need, so THANK YOU so much.

Anyone else who would like to help support these incredible, highly endangered and wonderfully charismatic animals, a donation can be made quickly and easily through this blog.  It’s not too late to do it before Christmas – and what a special Christmas gift that would be.

Rueben, Misheck and I will be taking some time off to spend with our families over the Christmas period, so this blog may be quiet for a while, but rest assured there are people keeping an eye on the wild dogs for us, and we will be told immediately if any problems arise. 

So from all of us at the Zimbabwe Wild Dog Project, MERRY CHRISTMAS and wishing you all a very happy festive period.

Hi folks,

I got back from Mozambique yesterday – what a stunning country that is!  I will post a few photos in the next blog just to make you all jealous.  In the meantime, I wanted to share these photos of Rueben’s baby daughter with you.  He just came back from visiting his family where he took these photos.

She is called Chiedza which means ‘light’ and is the baby girl that you have helped so much through your donations of money for milk powder, after her mother died when she was less than 2 weeks old.

What a cute little girl she is.  Here is Rueben with her…

So once again a huge thank you from him and me to everyone who donated money to buy her milk.  Let’s hope we can continue to support her as she continues to grow.

Rosemary