EWT responds to wild dogs roaming in Sedawa village
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) says that wild dogs pose no danger to humans, especially after residents of Sedawa village had free-roaming wild dogs move through the community last month.
TZANEEN- The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) cleared the air regarding free roaming wild dogs after a pack allegedly terrorised villagers in the Mopani District.
The EWT emphasised that wild dogs do not pose a danger to humans.
“There have been no confirmed reports of wild dogs attacking or injuring humans in recent history,” says Ronja Haring from EWT.
EWT states that the wild dogs passing through the village of Sedawa on August 14 and 15 are a dispersal group separated from a larger free-roaming pack native to the area. Free-roaming wild dogs do not belong to a particular reserve but form part of the native and local fauna.
“Tracking data from a collar fitted on one of the monitored packs reveals that these dogs traversed the village between August 14 and 15. EWT is working closely with the communities to address potential livestock loss and ensure that residents are informed about the dogs’ movements.
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Wild dogs, particularly dispersal groups, are known for their high mobility, typically covering significant distances without remaining in one location for long.
Since their dispersal on August 8, this pack has travelled an impressive 460 kilometres, averaging approximately 30 kilometres per day.
“While another wild dog pack may have entered the community, the absence of confirmatory evidence makes it unclear,” says Haring.
The Herald also spoke to Kulani Nyakane from EWT who works with communities when carnivores move through spaces inhabited by humans.
“The dogs have moved on from that area and are currently in a conservation area. We are always willing to work with local communities when there are carnivores. We will collar and dart the wild dogs and move them to a conservation area when there are human-wildlife conflicts,” says Nyakane.
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Wild dogs are an integral part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem and EWT says that they are dedicated to collaborating with the impacted community to find solutions that promote peaceful coexistence.
“To enhance the EWT’s efforts, we encourage community members to report any wild dog sightings or incidents of livestock loss to the EWT. This information will be invaluable in their ongoing efforts to assist the community and ensure the protection of both the wildlife and the communities interests. We also want to thank the private landowners who have assisted and actively contributed to the wild dog conservation in this area. Cape Vulture Lodge, who was previously referenced in the last article published by the Herald, is not the legal owner of the wild dogs; however, they have made significant contributions to the efforts aimed at protecting the wild dogs and preventing potential conflict. Their involvement has been invaluable in the EWT’s mitigation strategies,” says Haring.
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“As wild dogs continue to navigate the landscape of the Greater Kruger, we remain committed to fostering understanding and collaboration within the communities for a peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife,” Haring adds.
To report packs of wild dogs or other carnivores in communities or villages to the EWT, contact Kulani Nyakane at 071 902 0858 or Ronja Haring at 062 145 2828.
