Today, 17 May, is World Endangered Species Day. It is celebrated to help create awareness of and protection for, endangered animals, and the actions that can be taken in order to save them from becoming extinct.
A rare endangered species found in Namibia is the African wild dog. With just 200 to 300 animals in the country, they are thrillingly seen in the north-eastern Omaheke and Zambezi (formerly Caprivi) regions.
Sadly, African wild dogs are a huge threat to farmers as they prey on livestock, and are consequently a target for farmers who shoot or poison them.
Naturally, an important focus of Children in the Wilderness’ Eco-Club programme is the conservation of species, and the club members in our partner primary schools enthusiastically join in the weekly lessons to learn more – and take these lessons home to their communities, many of whom are the very farmers posing a threat to endangered predators.
Another threat wild dogs face is competition from larger predators such as lions – hence their large territories and constant struggle to find sufficient prey.
Wild dogs are vital apex predators in their habitat and need to be protected, not looked at as a threat. If wild dogs become extinct, herd animals such as kudu and springbok numbers will increase, causing the ecosystem to get out of balance and become overpopulated by herbivores.
Wild dog images © Gerhard Thirion, Wilderness Namibia Explorations & Environmental Manager
Children’s images © Agnes Tjirare-Kerii, Wilderness Namibia Impact Manager
Report by Veronderako Kaura, Wilderness Namibia CITW & Community Co-ordinator
