Here is another update from Xmas Mpofu, head keeper, at Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe. -
“We have received 2 puppies from low veld and are now settled into our Rehab Facility. The 2 were dug out of their den following a rabies out break in that area. The pack members are now dead and the 2 pups are the only survivors. The 2 puppies currently seem to be fit and strong and will be released back into the wild with some of our other Rehab dogs.”
Wild Painted dogs in the enclosure at PDC's rehab center
This is another example of why it is imperative to have a Painted dog rehabilitation center at PDC. These pups wouldn’t stand a chance in the wild without the rest of the pack. The rehabilitation center will give them the opportunity to integrate into a new pack and gain the strength they will need to survive in the wild.
Map of enclosures and PDC's facilities
- Chute allowing dogs to move from one enclosure to another
The rehabilitation facility itself is very impressive. There is a series of 4 enclosures – the largest is 70
- Powerful electric fence around perimeter of enclosure
acres. All of the enclosures have shift doors and chutes connecting them to one another for easy non-intrusive movement between pens. There are 4 smaller day pens that allow for closer observation, if needed. The enclosures all have a very powerful electric fence around the perimeter. Surprisingly, the strength of this fence is more for keeping animals from the outside out! The saying “the grass is always greener” applies here. They have had lions, leopards, other Painted dogs, and elephants all challenging the fence line from the outside, and occasionally the unwanted visitors have found their way in. Much of Xmas’ day is spent maintaining the perimeter fence line.
Stay tuned for more of the exciting adventures from PDC.
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Hey Renee,
This blog talks about introducing the two pups orphaned by rabies back into the wild. how do you accomplish this with painted dogs?
Hi Beth,
That is a great question! Originally, the idea was to use the 80 acre exhibit at the rehabilitation center to allow the dogs to hunt in, but the dogs were too smart for that. Time and time again they were observed bouncing the prey off the fence and as a result they were not building up the necessary levels of endurance to survive in the wild. PDC searched for a training ground with no fences. One of the locals suggested an island in Lake Kariba that had been created when the Zambezi was dammed. Only prey species resided on the island, so it was a perfect solution. The dogs are able to strengthen their pack bonds, hunting skills and endurance. The Island also allows PDC’s team to monitor the dog’s progress in order to decide when they are fit to be relocated into the wild.