Protecting Painted Dogs

Snares are one of the biggest, indiscriminate killers of wildlife across Africa. Shockingly, an estimated 90% of animals snared are left to rot as the wires tighten to cause a slow and agonising death. That is why one of the most important jobs we fund is the removal of these silent killers - many set by locals for bush meat, many by poachers.

Every day, as part of their regular patrols, the anti-poaching units in Zimbabwe look for and remove snares; in 2016, they recovered over 1,100, in 2015 it was over 2,000. But, the areas they patrol and the distances that the painted dogs they protect cover, are vast and snares remain a major threat to the vulnerable populations of dogs in our care.

Earlier this year the team received news that a painted dog had been spotted with a raw and bloody wound around its neck - hallmark traits of a snare injury. They knew they had to act quickly before the snare tightened or the wound became infected but, finding and removing a snare from an animal that regularly travels many kilometers a day is never straight forward.

The team covered 100km from their base over five days as they searched for the injured dog. But, with only 150 left in the Hwange area, every painted dog is precious and they were not going to give up easily.

Eventually they spotted her, Cusp, a female from a nine-strong pack they knew as 'Broken Rifle'. Despite the livid, red wound around her neck she was keeping up with the pack which was stopping for no one! The team regrouped and decided that the best course of action was to wait until Cusp came to water to drink, dart her, remove the snare and treat the wound.

As soon as the opporunity arose the team moved in. Experts in this sorry work Cusp was soon unconscious and stabilized and the team were pleased to see no signs of infection and that the lesions were only surface deep and had not yet damaged her tendons or trachea. One of her teeth was broken, probably a result of frantically biting the snare, but Cusp would survive.

With the copper wire removed and the wound cleaned, Cusp was given a precautionary dose of antibiotics and a vitamin B injection to boost her immune system. Waking almost immediately the revival drug was administered she staggered off to recover in the shade. In the late afternoon she would wake up and hoo-call to her pack to re-join them snare free.

It is only with your support that the teams can carry out these rescues, ensure that everyone is properly trained and that they have the right equipment and medicines to save these rare animals.

Please, if you can, help us continue to fund the anti-poaching teams who remove the snares before these vulnerable and innocent victims suffer. Thank you.