Wild Dogs in Samburu!
Category: Reserves | Date: Feb 25 2009 | By: ewasolions
I am super excited to report that I saw wild dogs on the 21st of February in Samburu National Reserve! This was the 4th time I have seen wild dogs, but by far this was the best sighting I have had. Prior to this, I have only seen them at night and dashing across the road. This time, I was able to have a good look at them and watch them cross the road behind me chasing dikdiks. There were 7 dogs in total and a few of them were youngish pups.
Wild dogs are endangered and numbers have fallen to only a few thousand in Africa, mainly due to habitat loss and hunting. Here, the wild dogs use the area to move between Laikipia and Samburu Districts, but it now appears they may be resident somewhere in the area; between the reserve and West Gate Community Conservancy. On the 19th of February, they were in West Gate and I saw them a few days later in Samburu Reserve.
With only a few hundred wild dogs remaining in the Samburu-Laikipia ecosystem (their numbers are increasing), I feel totally privileged to have seen a few of them.
Below are a few photos of some of the dogs that I saw.
Tags: Endangered, Laikipia, Samburu, Samburu National Reserve, West Gate Community Conservancy, Wild dogs
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Ewaso Lions is a project based in the Samburu region. I am working with the local people to enhance co-existence between lions and communities in this stunning arid landscape in Northern Kenya.
8 Responses to “Wild Dogs in Samburu!”
Maina, on 25 Feb 2009
This is very good news. Few people really appreciate how delicate these dogs really are. Their need for large hunting ranges and their susceptibility to domestic dog diseases makes them really vulnerable. It is therefore a sign of a healthy ecosystem in Samburu if they are now resident in the area. Thanks for the pictures.
paula, on 25 Feb 2009
Fantastic post and wonderful news. I am so jealous!
Pat Awori, on 26 Feb 2009
Delighted to hear that there have been sightings of wild dogs…sad to hear the numbers have dropped soo tremendously…there used to be 50 - 60 going through Samburu at this time of year as recently as 5 years ago!!
Congrats also on darting of the lion…hopefully this will be an enormous boost to coalation of data
Msengeti Francis, on 27 Feb 2009
That is exciting havent seen one myself. I hope the numbers increase and some cross over to Shaba…Tks for keeping me updated on my favourite place on earth
Paul, on 02 Mar 2009
Hot dog! I would love to see African wild dogs in Samburu. Good spotting.
Ben, on 02 Mar 2009
What a goo news!!!!Thanks Shiv for updating me on the sightings. Am equally delighted that we seem to have a resident pack in the area as in the past they use to be seen once in a while. Did you remember to take a GPS location? if yes, I would appreciate to get it.
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