The Sunday News
Peter Matika
I HAVE always loved dogs, I remember even as a child growing up how I would nag my parents to get me a pet dog.
Eventually I did get one; including a cat . . . well you know how the story goes.
However, as time would have it and maturity settling in I started to grow fond of wildlife, even though I have a strong phobia for snakes.
Anyway, I recall school trips to the Victoria Falls and passing through Hwange, where a sanctuary for a rather peculiar type of dog is situated — the Painted Dog Conservation.
Painted Dogs, also known as African Wild Dogs are unique to Africa and they are among Africa’s most endangered species. This, I learnt during my recent visit to the conservancy.
The dogs are both a pleasure to see and learn about.
According to the conservancy’s statistics it is estimated that less than 7 000 remain in the wild.
The painted dog population in Zimbabwe is one of the last strongholds of the species and the conservancy is committed to their conservation.
The conservancy methods include working with the local communities, a partnership, which has yielded a positive effect on the outlook of the painted dog species. The dogs differ in size, colour and of course appearance, owing much to their huge ears, suffer from stigma from ignorant people, who perceive them to be tools of witchcraft.
Painted Dog Conservation was originally established as Painted Dog Research in 1992 by Gregory Rasmussen.
During the first two years the human-induced carnage from snares, shooting and road kills accounted for 95 percent of all dog mortalities. Early public presentations showed prejudice and ignorance and it was clear that unless this situation was addressed, the species could become extinct for sure.
The initial emphasis was thus to identify the critical issues and develop a pragmatic and holistic strategy that would make a substantial, lasting contribution to painted dogs, nature conservation and, very importantly, the lives of the local people.
Painted Dog Conservation currently employs about 55 local people in the following programme areas.
Anti-Poaching Units:
Members undertake daily patrols providing direct protection for the painted dogs, while at the same time making a significant contribution to bio-diversity, by protecting their habitat and the species they co-exist with.
Rehabilitation Facility:
Allows PDC to deal with eventualities such as injured or orphaned painted dogs and the translocation of entire packs.
Conservation Education:
Teaches conservation concepts while promoting an emotional attachment to nature that will lead to a lifelong attitude of caring for it.
Visitor Centre: Features an Interpretive Hall, which teaches visitors about the greater Hwange ecosystem, the plight of the painted dog and the significance of biodiversity.
Children’s Bush Camp:
Painted Dog Conservation has established conservation clubs at the local schools as an extension of the children’s bush camp programme, the clubs undertake both practical and theoretical exercises such as tree planting, clean up campaigns, drama and poetry performances, which benefit their communities at large and further enhance and appreciation for and understanding of the environment.
Community Development/Outreach
Iganyana Arts Centre: The Centre provides an income generating opportunity for an average of 25 artisans each day, who make unique crafts from reclaimed and recycled materials, including wire from snares removed from the bush by our Anti-poaching Units.
Community Gardens: The aim is to improve nutrition and food security.
Painted Dog Conservation provides direct funding for or facilitates the drilling of boreholes to provide clean reliable water for communities, which in turns allows for the establishment of nutritional gardens.
It facilitates the establishment of income generating projects such as bee keeping, chilli growing and the garden projects mentioned above, with the aim of improving the livelihoods of individuals and their families alike.
HIV/Aids
The conservation also arranges for and supports St Patrick’s Hospital, to established monthly counselling and testing clinics for staff and the surrounding communities, to encouraging people to lead a healthier lifestyle.
The conservation also sponsors the local soccer league to engage the area’s youth in a meaningful, motivational and healthy pursuit.
