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Project update
- April 2007
 We
have successfully caught the surviving Mashambo pup!
After last month's bitter disappointments,
April ended on a high note with our man Jealous (who else) capturing
the Mashambo pup, with the significant help of our visiting vet
nurses, Lesley and Kate, not to mention Xmas and our Rehabilitation
Centre staff.
We were getting worried. Actually that's
a huge understatement, as the pup had been "missing"
for almost two weeks and we were losing hope. To our immense relief
he turned up, looking very hungry but otherwise in remarkably
good shape. He had somehow avoided the larger predators, who would
have killed him, and must have managed to eat something during
those weeks. Our plan was to feed him the moment he turned up,
in the hope that he would relax, perhaps sensing that being in
the vicinity of our rehabilitation unit was the safest place to
be. Our rehab. "inmates" even seemed to play their part,
showing no aggression towards him, rather making the comforting
sounds, which we often hear between a mother and her pups. To
make sure we had the edge, we placed tranquilizing tablets in
the meat we gave him and then waited.
After an hour or so, it was apparent that
the harmless drugs had worked. The pup lay, not sleeping but very
relaxed, near the fence line, so Jealous, Xmas and the team proceeded
to set up a couple of capture nets, working their way behind the
pup in the process. Without any noise or fuss they then walked
towards him. As we had hoped, he got to his feet but only walked
forward, in a rather drunken fashion, into the nets. Jealous quickly
moved in to hold him while the immobilizing injection was administered.
Within minutes he was examined, a few minor injuries treated and
placed in the rehab. enclosure. Another injection and he was wide
awake, though still very "relaxed" thanks to the tranquilizers.
We were delighted. This unprecedented action
was justified without doubt as he would have died if left alone
in the wild. Painted Dogs only reach maturity and are considered
able to fend for themselves at 18 months of age - he was only
9 months old.
Our intention is to integrate him quickly
with our two other males, Londolozi and Ulaka, and thus prepare
him for release back into the wild as part of a strong (in numbers
anyway) pack. Once this integration process has been achieved,
he will go with Londolozi and Ulaka to Starvation Island, along
with the three Pilansberg females we still hold. These six dogs
will then spend a year or more on the island adjusting to life
in the wild, gaining hunting experience in a relatively safe environment
for them and one where we can keep a close eye on them, to make
sure all is going well.
Such is the life we lead at Painted Dog
Conservation. Front line conservation work, which delivers blows
that knock you to your knees and highs you dare not dream about.
PDC staff have adopted Greg's determination and spirit never to
give up. For some of us, like Jealous, it's an inherent quality.
The same unconquerable spirit that kept Greg alive.
Behind the headlines we have a great staff,
led by Forggie Wilson, who keep equally significant aspects of
the project, such as the Children's Bush Camp and Anti Poaching
Units rolling along. Making Painted Dog Conservation the "model"
that it is.
Every little contribution helps wildlife
and remember 100% of your donation will go in full to the project - thank you!
You can also help by becoming a member
of DSWF. Click here for more information
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photo credits: all photos Peter Blinston
of PDC
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