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African Wild Dog Reintroduction and Conservation Project Wild Dog Monitoring Report Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) March 2005
HiP Location records (number of fixes over 20 days tracked) Hluhluwe pack: 17 IMfolozi pack: 8 Crocodile pack: 2 Thobothi pack: 0 Juma pack: 4
General status & ranging of packs inside and outside HiPThe Hluhluwe pack covered the large part of Hluhluwe Reserve. This includes both Manzibomvu and Nqumeni sections. This includes Nombali, Nomageje, Maqanda, Mbombe forest, Mashiya, Manzibomvu valley and Magangeni areas. No mortalities of known animals occurred in this pack during March.
The iMfolozi pack was recorded ranging mainly in the larger section of Mbhuzane. This includes Cengeni, Sokhwezela, Khukho, Sontuli and Bhekaphansi areas. No mortalities of known animals occurred during March.
The Thobothi pack remained in Mbhuzane section. The confirmed sighting of these animals was on the 5th of March at the Mbhuzane outpost. There were scars seen on the animals, which may have been as a result of a fight with the iMfolozi pack or infighting among animals within the Pack for dominance status. This pack still consists of 5 animals. No mortalities of known animals occurred during March.
The Crocodile pack remained in the wilderness area. The confirmed sighting of this pack was on 27 March 2005 at Mndindini area. No mortalities of known animals occurred in this pack during March.
The Juma pack also remained in the Wilderness. The last confirmed sighting of this pack was on 20 January 2005. Their signal was picked up in the Wilderness area on 4 days this month.
There were no reports received for the Makhamisa pack during March. The last confirmed sighting was on the 23rd of February at Mhlanganweni area by the guards.
The two Pleiades sisters that broke into Thanda Private Game Reserve on the 17th July 2004 have remained on that property for the duration of this month and continue to be seen regularly.
There were no reports received for the two animals that were reported at Ubizane Tree Lodge or at False Bay Park. The last confirmed sighting on Ubizane was on the 28th of January 2005 with the description of a floppy eared animal and one that had a limp on the front leg. Spoor was recorded again on 28 February 2005.
No confirmed reports were received of the 2 remaining Nebula sisters in the Mthonjaneni area (south of Ulundi) during March. Unconfirmed sightings were reported several times on Andres Harris farm at Zietover area (south of Melmoth).
On the 29th of March 2005 the bones and the collar for the last remaining Potter’s bachelors male were found at Charter’s Creek at the Western borders of St Lucia Wetlands Park. There is no clear understanding of how the animal died. This male’s signal was heard from this direction starting on 25 February 2005, after being lost for 9 months.
Population structure (inside HiP) Hluhluwe pack: 11 total (including pups) Alpha male & female + 2 adults (male & female born 2002) + 2 yearling 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 born 2004 (possibly 4 males + 3 females)
Crocodile pack: 8 total (including pups) Alpha male & female + 2 adult males (born 2002) + 4 pups (unsexed, born 2004)
Makhamisa pack: 3 total Two adult males + 1 adult female (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 16 pups) is 31 adult and yearling 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: 0? Total Originally three adult males (split from Hluhluwe pack in September 2003). All presumed dead now.
Hunting records The Hluhluwe pack was observed 3 times hunting a group of impala unsuccessfully.
The iMfolozi pack was observed 3 times feeding on impala and the pack was also observed 4 times hunting an impala group unsuccessfully.
No hunting attempts were observed for any other packs during March.
Predator interactions No predator interactions observed for the Hluhluwe pack in March.
The iMfolozi pack was observed 2 times fighting hyena.
No predator interactions were recorded for any other packs during March.
Hyenas The collared female hyena of Isivivaneni clan in Manzibomvu was located ranging mostly from Isivivaneni toward the South. This includes Nzimane, Muntulu and Mjanshi areas. This animal was once seen at Isivivaneni quarry with a group of 6 animals including 3 cubs.
Achieved goals for this monthA field visit to Mthonjaneni area was conducted on the 24th of March to talk to farmers and community members about wild dogs in the area. A meeting with 3 farmers was also conducted.
Planned activities for next month Tracking 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), Hluhluwe pack and to iMfolozi pack adults.
Reported by project assistant Sboniso Blessing (Zama) Zwane Hluhluwe Research Centre Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park P.O. Box 515 3960 Hluhluwe
Project coordinator Micaela Szykman, Ph.D. Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park mszykman@webmail.co.za |
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