The African
Wild Dog is one of the most endangered carnivores in the world. Their numbers
have severely declined due to disease, loss of habitat and human persecution.
Once common in all areas of Africa, African Wild Dogs are extinct or nearly
extinct in nearly 25 of the 39 countries of their former range, and the
majority of remaining populations are too small to remain viable. Of the six
countries where they still exist, only three (Botswana, Tanzania and South
Africa) have populations of more than 300 dogs. An estimated 5000 individuals
remain in the wild. The project actively helps in the conservation of these
amazing animals and cooperates with the KZN Wild Dog Management Group. As a
member of the project team you will learn how to track these highly efficient
hunters and help collect valuable research data.
Cheetah’s
are classified as Endangered in South Africa and the meta-population is listed
as Vulnerable. Over the last 30 years the population of Cheetah has declined by
a massive 30%. This decline is largely driven by persecution of Cheetah by
livestock farmers and communities, the trade in their skins for the fur trade
and probably the largest contributor has been habitat loss and fragmentation
due to burgeoning human populations. The known Cheetah population in the world
today numbers ~7 500 individuals and is spread across Southern, Eastern and
Northern Africa and the Sahel. The South African population is comprised of
only ~550 individuals. This project aims at monitoring Cheetah populations that
have been re-introduced to reserves and to gain a better understanding of how
we can better conserve these cats in game reserves in South Africa.
Black rhino
are a critically endangered species, with fewer than 4 500 individuals
remaining in Africa. The total South African population is less than 1 500
individuals. Rhino have been persecuted for decades in Africa for use in dagger
handles in Yemen and as an ingredient in many Chinese medicines. The incidence
of poaching is still a threat to this population. The expansion and growth of
the population has been deemed a conservation priority. To monitor and provide
feedback on successful or failed reintroduction attempts have been designated
as vital components of the continued conservation of this species by the
governing conservation authorities. We are currently involved in the
post-release monitoring of black rhino and provide valuable feedback in this
regard.
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