Lovers of wild dogs gathered in Woodmead to raise funds for the last free-roaming wild dog pack in South Africa on 23 May.

Wild dogs are considered to be endangered, with approximately only 520 left in the country, the majority of them living in game reserves. Last year, however, members of The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) were delighted to find that wild dogs had decided to have their pups just outside Vaalwater in Limpopo.

The animals can be elusive and can travel great distances without being seen. The trust hopes to put tracking collars on each of the dogs to monitor them and ensure they don’t venture onto farms, where they may be killed.

Alexander Babich, who is passionate about wild dogs, decided to host a fundraising event at the Country Club Johannesburg to help raise funds for the tracking collars. Artist Alice van Jaarsveld generously donated about 30 of her wild dog paintings to be sold and auctioned at the event.

A wildlife experience to go see the wild dogs was also donated, and one hundred per cent of the proceeds from the event will go towards the collars for the dogs.

Derek van der Merwe, a senior field officer of the Carnivore Protection Programme of the EWT, was able to spend two months following the pack shortly after the pups were born and said it was the most remarkable experience to witness them in the wild.

“They are the most incredible animals and very much like humans. They’re very social and the whole focus of their pack is to make sure their pups survive.”

Many farmers in the area have been excited to have the wild dogs on their farms, however, some farmers, who own prized livestock, have said that they absolutely do not want the dogs on their property and will kill them if they attack any of their animals.

Van der Merwe added that the collars have incredible tourism opportunities, as tourists are able to experience the wild dogs in their natural habitat. He said that, with the help of the collars, they have been able to learn so much about the dogs.

The process of collaring the dogs is incredibly expensive because it requires the assistance of a vet to ensure that the animals are safe, and each collar costs about R20 000.

“It’s been the highlight of my career working with these dogs, but a lot of hard work still lies ahead, and in order to keep these dogs safe, we need to continue doing this and that requires funds,” concluded van der Merwe.

Details: The Endangered Wildlife Trust 011 372 36000.

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