The Sunday News
Fairness Moyana, Business Correspondent
WORLD conservation body, Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) has commended Painted Dog Conservancy (PDC) and communities living next to national parks for conservation efforts of endangered species which has contributed to the increased tourism arrivals in Hwange National Park.
WCN vice-president, Dr Jaffrey Parish made the remark while presenting a prize to Thokoza Primary School from Lupane during the PDC primary schools wildlife quiz finals held at Gwango Heritage centre in Dete on Friday.
“I’m impressed by what I have seen today, your vast knowledge in the animals you live with. You know more about the wildlife in Zimbabwe than average children and that will ensure that conservation efforts are passed to communities. It is important to note that the efforts of PDC and the communities have ensured that some of the species that are facing extinction flourish resulting in tourism growth. We support PDC because it supports you,” said Dr Parish.
PDC has been instrumental in raising awareness on the need to act in order to save the painted dog from extinction after their population dwindled due to poaching and hunting by villagers.
Dr Parish said the conservancy’s model in involving communities through programmes such as rehabilitation of rural health centres in Hwange district a move which also ensured access to medical facilities in their areas. gave the villagers an urge to protect their wildlife.
“PDC’s fight against poaching which ensures the protection of the wild dogs along with others has enabled the population of the dogs to increase over the years. Their design of involving communities that are affected mostly by human-wildlife conflict because of their proximity to the national park has had a huge impact on conservation efforts. Their programmes have given these people a reason to guard against poaching of a species they now appreciate as being economically beneficial to them,” he said.
WCN, a wildlife conservancy and watchdog is a major partner with the Hwange based organisation.
PDC Clubs and Community Development assistant manager, Mr Dominic Nyathi said the competition which began six years ago was not only meant to promote conservation of the Painted Dog but also encourage the taking up of science subjects.
“The objective of these competitions which started off small is to inculcate an element of science appreciation in children particularly living near or adjacent national parks. We want them not to fear when they go through their education. It is also in line with the development of STEM as per Government policy where by having these competitions we make pupils gain confidence in venturing into sciences,” said Mr Nyathi.
The wildlife quiz which run under the theme “a candle loses nothing candle” was compteted for by six primary schools saw Thokozani Hangano from Lupane coming tops while Sir Roy Welensky came second closely trailed by Main Camp, last year’s national finals Lupote, Gwaai and lastly Ndangababi.
The top two schools which are the only rural based will represent the province at the regional Wildlife Environment Zimbabwe (WEZ) quiz finals in Bulawayo in May.
Working together with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks), PDC carries out regular patrols to curb rampant poaching of big game through wire snares which unfortunately end up killing the dogs.
The number of dogs running in the wilderness is currently unknown as a census is underway however according to the last count done in 2006 they were 20 packs sited in the national park.
The largest populations remain in Southern Africa and the southern parts of East Africa, Zimbabwe contains one of the last viable dog populations. The main threats to their survival today are snares intended for other species, disease and road traffic accidents.
