Central Kalahari Wild Dog Research

The aim of the project is to determine an accurate estimate of the wild dog population in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) - the numbers, densities and pack structures, the surrounding area, and the factors that influence their population dynamics and spatial ecology and bring them into conflict with humans.

Project Details
This project looks at a critically endangered species that at present there is little knowledge of in the CKGR region and wider Botswana Kalahari populations. It is believed that the wider Kalahari region barely supports wild dogs and only a small population occurs there. However wild dog packs are reasonably often sighted in the CKGR, in particular during the wet season and due to its large size (52 500km2) the area is likely to sustain a significant number of wild dog packs. At present home range sizes for Kalahari wild dogs can only be guessed using home range size information on other carnivore species studied that live in the Kalahari.

The present approximate estimate for total wild dog numbers in the world is between 3 000 and 5 500 individuals (IUCN 2004). Botswana has a total estimated population of 800 wild dogs, most of which are believed to occur in northern Botswana (Okavango Delta, Chobe, Linyanti and Nxai Pan) with a minimum of 42 packs representing 450-500 individuals. The wider CKGR population is likely to be a significant proportion of the total population of wild dogs found throughout its range.

The primary research objectives aim to provide reliable wild dog estimates for the region, information on their spatial requirements and the factors that may push them into conflict with people. Other information to be gleaned include details of their diet in the region, pack sizes and age and sex structures relative to wild dog packs in northern Botswana. One of the conservation priorities outlined in the IUCN Canid Action Plan is to 'maintain connectivity of habitat available to wild dogs, particularly in Northern Botswana'   and to 'carry out surveys of other potentially important populations'. The wild dog work in the CKGR will produce information that will be in line with the above statements.  

This project is part of the broader CKGR research programme which is set out as 'a holistic research programme… that aims to examine key conservation and management issues within the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and surrounding regions. The study will have a broad focus, incorporating a collection of baseline ecological data, a detailed predator guild and herbivore survey and an analysis of predator-prey relationships within the region. The study hopes to improve our understanding of the region's underlying system dynamics, the influence of artificial water provision on the environment, while examining regulatory factors and population dynamics of wildlife species living in the study area and the interface between wildlife and resident human populations.' 

Methodologies
Two adult members from each of five packs will be collared (one with a GPS remote download unit, 320g, and one with a VHF unit, 350g) in order to be able to locate them for direct observations and to determine spatial requirements.

Blood, tissue and hair samples will be gathered for purposes of disease testing and population genetics. Both of these are key issues within the species in regard to genetic bottle necks and fatal diseases such as rabies and distemper.

The collared wild dogs will be tracked and downloaded from the ground and by plane. Through research done by the wider CKGR programme on seasonal prey abundance and movement the factors that influence wild dog ecology can be examined. Habitat preferences can also be determined.

Results to be determined

1) An accurate estimate for the CKGR wild dog population through knowledge of home range sizes and pack numbers. 
2) Knowledge of population dynamics for the species living in an arid environment.
3) An understanding of the seasonal and spatial and resource requirement of the CKGR wild dog population in order to determine the factors that push wild dogs out of the reserve boundaries and into conflict with humans.
4) An increase in our overall knowledge of a highly endangered species living in an environment within which little is known of the species ecology.
5) A greater understanding of the CKGR system through the above information to be integrated into the broader finding of the programme.