Wild Dogs

Since 2014, UmPhafa Nature Reserve has been responsible for looking after and bonding individual wild dogs into new packs ready for their new lives across Africa.

In conjunction with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), we have so far looked after 9 groups of dogs, bonding 4 groups and the rest were looked after whilst they waited to be relocated to a new Reserve.

Our latest male wild dogs arrived on the 14th February and settled in very quickly, whilst the females arrived on 15th March and were put into an adjoining boma so they could meet each other through the electric fence but were unable to touch. A few weeks later we removed the electrics on the dividing fence so they could get even closer. With no signs of aggression, we decided to open the gates – it was wonderful to watch them meet and greet – they were very excitable and spent most of the time just running around the boma carrying branches and showing off to each other – especially the males.

On the 6th May, we observed them mating for the first time which was great news. This now meant the clock was ticking to get the dogs moved from UmPhafa and taken to their new home at the Makalali Reserve

On 4th July the Endangered Wildlife Trust joined us and we managed to capture and dart the wild dogs, put tracking collars on them and load them into a crate where they made their 9-hour journey to their new home.

They arrived safe and sound and we are looking forward to hearing the news that they have settled in well and will soon be parents!