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African Wild Dog Reintroduction and Conservation Project Wild Dog Monitoring Report Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) February 2005
HiP Location recordsHluhluwe pack: 11 iMfolozi pack: 17 Crocodile pack: 8 Thobothi pack: 5 Juma pack: 3
General status & ranging of packs inside and outside HiPThe Hluhluwe pack was found ranging mainly in the Manzibomvu section. This includes Maphumulo, Zincakeni, Mbhombe forest, Fuzula, Manzibomvu valley and Gontshi areas. The alpha pair of this pack has been seen mating. No mortalities of known animals occurred in this pack during February.
iMfolozi pack was recorded ranging mainly in the larger section of Mbhuzane and Masinda sections. This includes Siyembeni, Mpila, Momfu, Nqolothi and Bhekaphansi areas. One pup was observed missing from this pack in February and this pack currently consists of 17 animals.
No reports received for the Thobothi pack this month. The last sighting for this pack was on the 28th of January at Bhekaphansi place. On the 17th of February there were animals reported at the corridor by a tourist close to Nyalazi gate. This was suspected to be the Thobothi pack as it was confirmed by radio telemetry that there was no signal for all other packs.
The Crocodile pack spent the most of the month in the wilderness area. This pack was located by telemetry once this month at Ngwenyemnqindi place. No mortalities of known animals occurred in this pack during February.
Juma pack remained in the Wilderness area during February. This pack was located three times by telemetry at Mndindini and Ncoki areas. No mortalities of known animals occurred in this pack during February.
On February 17th, 3 animals were reported at the Makhamisa water pumps. This is believed to be Makhamisa pack. These animals were then reported again at Mhlanganweni area couple of days from the sighting of the 17th of this month. No mortalities of known animals occurred in this pack on February.
The two Pleiades sisters that broke into Thanda Private Game Reserve on the 17th July 2004 have remained on this property this month. The last confirmed sighting was on the 6th of February.
On the 28th of February the spoor of two animals was seen at Obizane Tree Lodge. The last confirmed sighting of animals in this property was on the 28th of January.
No reports have been received of the 2 remaining Nebula sisters in the Mthonjaneni area (south of Ulundi) during January. The last reported sighting was on the 25th October on the farm Coolridge.
On the 25th February the Potter’s bachelors that were last reported on the 27th May 2004 on Phinda Private Game Reserve were located by telemetry in Charter’s Creek and two animals were sighted in False Bay on the 15th of February where both animals were seen feeding on a male nyala on the bank of the lake. These animals were believed to be in the place since October last year.
Population structure (inside HiP)Hluhluwe pack: 11 total (including pups) Alpha male & female + 2 adults (male & female born 2002) + 2 yearlings (both females, born 2003) + 5 pups (3 females, 2 males, born 2004)
IMfolozi pack: 17 total (including pups) Alpha male and female + 1 adult male (born 2002) + 7 yearlings (2 males, 5 females, born 2003) + 7 pups (unsexed, born 2004)
Crocodile pack: 8 total (including pups) Alpha male & female + 2 adult males (born 2002) + 4 pups (unsexed, born 2004)
Makhamisa pack: 3 total 1 adult female plus 2 adult males (all split from iMfolozi pack in September 2002).
Thobothi pack: 5 total Three adult males (split from Hluhluwe pack in October 2004) + 2 adult females (split from the iMfolozi pack in October & November 2004).
Juma pack: 3 total Two adult males (Fellowship boys split from iMfolozi pack in September 2004) + 1 adult female (beta female from Crocodile pack split away in September 2004).
Total HiP population (excluding 17 pups) is 31 adult wild dogs.
Population structure (outside HiP)Pleiades sisters: 2+1 total Three adult females (split from Hluhluwe pack in September 2003). Two are at Thanda GR.
Nebula sisters: 2 total Originally 4 adult females split from Pleiades sisters during January 2004 (originally split from Hluhluwe pack in September 2003).
Potter’s bachelors: 1? total Originally three adult males (split from Hluhluwe pack in September 2003).
Hunting recordsThe Hluhluwe pack was observed hunting adult female nyala unsuccessfully.
The iMfolozi pack was observed hunting 2 herds of impala unsuccessfully. The pack also hunted an adult male impala successfully.
No hunting attempts were observed for any other packs during February.
Predator interactionsThe Huhluwe pack was once observed fighting with hyena. The pack was also heard 3 times fighting with hyena and has been in the range of lions.
No predator interactions were recorded for any other packs during February.
HyenasThe collared female hyena (with two cubs of approximately 13 months) of Isivivaneni clan in Manzibomvu was located ranging mostly from Isivivaneni toward the South. This includes Nzimane, Muntulu, Fuzula and Munywaneni. The cubs were once seen at Isivivaneni and their mother was fixed at Muntulu area.
Planned activities for next monthTracking and data collection of all the HiP wild dogs, as well as dispersing wild dogs will continue. There will also be attempts to affix collars to dispersed animals (Thobothi pack) and to iMfolozi pack yearlings.
Reported by project assistant Sboniso Blessing (Zama) Zwane Hluhluwe Research Centre Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park P.O. Box 515 3960 Hluhluwe
Project coordinatorMicaela Szykman, Ph.D. Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park mszykman@webmail.co.za
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