A few weeks ago, Rob Severin experienced an incredible Wild Dog sighting in Raptors View Wildlife Estate. Seeing the dogs is always an exciting experience for us and it’s always special.
We were thrilled that there was a pack in the area and even more excited when we learned that they were denning on Zandspruit Bush and Aero Estate. People underestimate the value of Wildlife Estates like Raptors View, Zandspruit andHoedspruit Wildlife Estate. These estates are fenced off but Wild Dogs have little respect for fences and will find a way into the estates quite easily. These estates offer the Wild Dogs a safe haven. There is plenty of plains game to sustain them with no predators to threaten them. They actually benefit the reserves by managing the plains game population.
This particular pack has been seen in the Greater Hoedspruit area since 2010. Their movements have been monitored by Grant Beverley of the Endangered Wildlife Trust as Wild Dogs are South Africa’s most endangered carnivore.
Wild Dog numbers are decreasing fast. In 1994 the Kruger National Park had 435 Wild Dogs but today there are only just over 200 animals left. The total South African population is less than 450 with only between 5000 and 6000 dogs left in the world!
Wild Dogs have a large home range of about 450 square kilometres. This is one of the problems that the Dogs face as they often cross roads, making them vulnerable.
This pack has been through a lot over the last 18 months. There were 16 of them originally, but 8 were reportedly shot by a local farmer. Four of them were darted and moved to a protected area nearby and one of the males was fitted with a GPS collar to be able to monitor their movements better and hopefully protect the remaining individuals.
“Unfortunately people view Wild Dogs as predators, and are afraid of them, however there is not a single report of free roaming Wild Dogs ever attacking humans. Impala make up 90% of Wild Dog’s prey”, says Grant. “This pack is the only resident, free roaming pack in the Lowveld outside SANParks”, he continues.
By buying in a wildlife estate, you are in effect, helping to protect the Wild Dog population. We are privileged to live in an area where we can still see Wild Dogs and enjoy them in their natural habitat.
Please be on the lookout for the pack and if you are lucky enough to see them, you can send photos or any details of your sighting to grantb@ewt.org.za
If you'd like more information about property in the Wildlife Estates in Hoedspruit, please contact us or go to our website.
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