SANParks.org Forums

I did some inquiries and here's the full story on the WDs...

There ARE still wild dogs in Marakele! Currently there are 4 females, 4 males and 5 pups being kept in the bomas on Marakele Park (Pty.) Ltd, the contractual side of the park. Hopefuly they will be released again next year!

Here's some info that the Wild Dog Advisory Group recently has sent to Marakele's Park Forum:

Wild dogs were introduced into Marakele in May 2003. For the first six months the pack remained within the park, but early 2004 the first breakout was recorded. The pack was recovered but continued to breach the perimeter fence (and some were shot by farmers). In the end of 2005 the park decided to recapture the pack and hold them in a boma until the conflicts with neighbours could be solved.
As a result there were 17 wild dogs in bomas at Marakele: 11 adults (7 males, 4 females) and 6 pups (born in the boma). The adults were closely related and some pack manipulation was required to prevent inbreeding. It was decided to remove all the males (to Kruger) and bring in some unrelated males from Madikwe Game Reserve. This happened in late October and the new males have been bonded successfully with the females and pups in the boma.

Currently re-release early next year is considered, but first fences should be upgraded and the animals should be properly collared and monitored. The experts expect that further breakouts will then be unlikely.

And some background info...

Since 1998, the Wild Dog Advisory Group has been implementing a national Wild Dog Metapopulation Strategy to establish populations of wild dogs in protected area outside the Kruger National Park. Currently the national metapopulation contains approximately 200 wild dogs in eight protected areas, namely Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Madikwe Game Reserve, Pilanesberg National Park, Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve, Marakele National Park, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Balule Game Reserve and Mkhuze Game Reserve. While this strategy has enjoyed considerable success, wild dogs are by no means out of danger as the total national population is still in the region of only approximately 500 individuals.

Hope this info clears the fog!

Thanks Joel!

500... isn't that up by 50 from last year? {hopefull smiley}

Thanks for this very interesting additional information, Joel

thanks JoelR
I jumped the gun a bit with the size being to small of Marakele
Glad to read that there are still WD in Marakele

Pheew thanks Joel, I was biting my nails endlesly from worries over the dogs, now I can relax for a bit...

I was a bit worried for you Mark! I thought how disappointed you would be having gone to Marakele and there being no Wild Dogs for you to see!! Have a super trip.

We’re planning a quick break away at Marakele (first time) soon and will be staying in Tlopi. I’ve been unable to find a map for Tlopi. Can anybody recommend a tent please or point me in the direction of a camp map?
At reservations, “fish eagle” was recommended.

Edited to say: OMG! I posted on the wrong thread. It was for Marakele advice needed. Sorry.

The news last night reported that the wild dogs in the Marakele National Park were released from their boma into the Park. As far as I can rememeber 10 dogs were released. This gives the public an excellent opportunity of spotting these magnificent animals. I'm really happy about it!

Lets just hold thumbs that they don't escape into neighbouring farms and that their population increases.

Hi all,

Has anybody heard about sightings of the dogs?
I'm going there this weekend!
Holding thumbs for good sightings...

cheers.
Kimberly

Hi Freespirit,

Yes my friend was there last weekend he saw the pack in the Tlopi Tented Camp area, at around 08h00, they were on the move he says. Good luck, hopefully you could bring back some pics for us.

oooooh, I am so envious of the wild dog sighting!!!!!!
I hope the hounds are doing well!

I had a wonderful weekend (actually just Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning) there.

The main excitement was the lunar exclipse which was spectacular! I will post an article I wrote, just not sure where is the best place.

The only game we saw were those that came to the dam in front of the tents to drink. Lovely to just sit there and watch them. Waterbuck, kudu, bushbuck, impala, monkeys. Lots of white fronted bee eaters, pied king fishers and of course barble jumping all day and night.

Those tents have such a beatiful setting. I could just stay there forever.

cheers,
Free Spirit

Dear free spirit,

I would love to see some pics. Did you take some?

Photos of Marakele or of the lunar eclipse?
:-)

I took one or 2 photos of the moon earlier in the evening.
I was too lazy to take photos during the ecplise and I was just enjoying it. There are of course great photos on the internet taken using telescopes. See my other post and the link I included there.

cheers,
Free Spriit

Dear Free Spirit,

thanks I had a look at your other post and the link

Hello and greetings from germany to my favorite holiday destination

there was a report in TV about the translocation of 2 black rhinos from zoo Franfurt to Marakele (one in the late 1990th, the 2nd in 2003). That was a good reason for me to drive to Frankfurt and visit the mother of the two "blackies" last saturday. (you can see her here: link Isn´t she wonderful...


Does anyone know if they are doing well ? Did they have even offspring? How many Rhinos live at Marakele?

I´m very curious