African Wild Dog Now Protected

According to Rachel Du Raan, “this is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration”. Collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Non-Governmental Agencies and passionate individuals that has brought about the singing into law, the protected status of the African Wild Dog in Namibia.

Rachel is one of the names behind the implementation of the Namibia African Wild Dog Program, she notes that this is a very important moment for the African Wild Dog in Namibia and more than that, it “shows what can be done through the collaboration of passionate people.”

Famous for their peculiarly large ears and specific patterned pelts, the African wild dog is the fifth most endangered mammal in Africa. It is also the second most endangered predator on the continent.

Travel News Namibia writes that “According to the World Wildlife Fund, the African wild dog is one of the world’s most endangered mammals. The largest populations remain in southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa. Namibia has finally taken the necessary steps to ensure the survival of this species.”

The steps in question include the signing of the amendment of Nature Conservation from 1975, to now include that the African wild dog is now a protected species. Our Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, signed the amendment that changes the legal status of the animal, giving it the same status as the rhino in Namibia.

As stated by Travel News Namibia, “This is good news both for this species and for conservation in the country.” Especially when you consider that it is estimated that here in Namibia we only have between 355 and 601 African Wild Dogs left.

MYD Earth featured the uniqueness of the African Wild Dog in an article after we uncovered that these ultimate predators are fascinating for many reasons. Many aspects of a day in the life of an African Wild Dog are quite surprising. Like for example, they are some of nature’s most well adapted predators and when a pack goes on a hunt they have over an 80% chance of making a kill. Lions for example have success ratio of about 30% of every hunt they engage in.  A uniquely special feature of the African Wild Dog is that, their fur markings are as unique as a human finger print.

For more about what makes the African Wild Dog fascinating, have a look at the MYD Earth article on the African Wild Dog, by clicking here : Fighting For the Ultimate Predators.

Or take a look at the Travel News Namibia article on the African Wild Dog becoming a protected species by clicking here : African Wild Dog now a protected species.