GOING TO THE DOGS

Tiara Walters meets the authors of In Search of the African Wild Dog, an impassioned plea
one of the world's most endangered carnivores.

A review in the Sunday Times Lifestyle Magazine.
GUARDING DOGS: 'It was our desire to capture the very essence of the wild dog and, as we crisscrossed the country in search of this most elusive predator, our journey became as emotional as it was physical,' says Roger. 'We marvelled at their intelligence, energy and all-consuming love of their pups. These huge characters of the bush deserve to survive — their presence is an essential part of the African landscape.' In Search of the African Wild Dog details not only what imperils these dogs, but the programmes to save them in their natural range — the Northwest bushveM, Zululand, Kruger National Park and Limpopo Valley, where this photograph was taken GUARDING DOGS: 'It was our desire to capture the very essence of the wild dog and, as we crisscrossed the country in search of this most elusive predator, our journey became as emotional as it was physical,' says Roger. 'We marvelled at their intelligence, energy and all-consuming love of their pups. These huge characters of the bush deserve to survive — their presence is an essential part of the African landscape.' In Search of the African Wild Dog details not only what imperils these dogs, but the programmes to save them in their natural range — the Northwest bushveM, Zululand, Kruger National Park and Limpopo Valley, where this photograph was taken
Delicate and diminutive, Pat de la Harpe's physicality belies her sizable bush cred, earned by endlessly baring down roads seized by dust devils and enduring Africa's more pitiless elements. Ask the normally unflappable wildlife writer about the African wild dog's prospects, however, and a film of fluid clouds her eyes and threatens to turn into the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo. "These dogs are in such dire straits," Pat whispers, "and it seems to be getting worse as we speak."

Descended from the Canidae family, whose members include jackals, foxes, dingoes and wolves, the wild dog is indeed balancing on the tightrope between survival and extinction. It is the only existing member of the genus Lycaon and, as its Latin name Lycaon pictus (painted wolf) suggests, it is everything but a hound dog. The painted wolf is, in fact, so genetically singular that it cannot interbreed with any of its canid relatives.

Before the Great White Hunter's plunderous foray into Africa, this unique survivor was spread throughout the continent. Now only between 3 000 and 5 000 are left, which is why Pat and her photographer husband, Roger, have taken up the cudgels. Their evocative and considered coffee-table book, In Search of the African Wild Dog — the Right to Survive (Sunbird, R3SO), has taken the better half of this decade to compile and documents the fate of the last 500 wild dogs in South Africa.

Selous and his pals may no longer be skulking in the savannah, but a lack of space and ill-informed — yet desperate — farmers, hack away at the painted wolfs odds.

"To add to their tenuous situation, a new and ugly phenomenon has raised its head... a growing, unregulated trade in wild dogs with the East is further depleting their numbers by some 100 dogs a year," writes Pat.

About 99% of species that have ever lived are now extinct, evolutionary biologists tell us. The wild dog's snuffed-out life would be but a whiff on the wind. But, as Pat reminds us, the painted wolf—and every other drop that makes up this dwindling ocean — may just be worth the fight.

"There is hope. These transfrontier parks are really good news," says Pat of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area and other across-border initiatives. "You cannot fence wild dogs in — they need a great deal of space to hunt and roam and form new packs. If we can give wild dogs the right habitat, they will survive."
NURTURE IN NATURE: Wild dogs are routinely poisoned or shot on sight because they have a reputation as vindictive tenters that disembowel their prey on the run. Roger and Pat, however, are emphatic that wild dogs are the bushvelts most superior nurturers. This puppy has Its head right inside an adult dog's mouth — it shows huge gentleness, doesn't it,' Roger says. Pat adds; This incredible nurturing explains why the dogs have survived, despite all the persecution' NURTURE IN NATURE: Wild dogs are routinely poisoned or shot on sight because they have a reputation as vindictive tenters that disembowel their prey on the run. Roger and Pat, however, are emphatic that wild dogs are the bushvelts most superior nurturers. This puppy has Its head right inside an adult dog's mouth — it shows huge gentleness, doesn't it,' Roger says. Pat adds; This incredible nurturing explains why the dogs have survived, despite all the persecution'
ALL THE WORLD'S A CAGE: Roger took this shot in the Venetia Limpopo Reserve. Although this is the fence around the Venetia diamond mine, It epitomises the wild dog's state,'Pat comments. However, in April 2008 a pack of 18 wild dogs was introduced to the 71 000ha Northern Tuli Game Reserve. The pack has since mushroomed to 30 dogs and is expected to do even better — and mix with other packs in the region — once Tuli joins the pending Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area ALL THE WORLD'S A CAGE: Roger took this shot in the Venetia Limpopo Reserve. Although this is the fence around the Venetia diamond mine, It epitomises the wild dog's state,'Pat comments. However, in April 2008 a pack of 18 wild dogs was introduced to the 71 000ha Northern Tuli Game Reserve. The pack has since mushroomed to 30 dogs and is expected to do even better — and mix with other packs in the region — once Tuli joins the pending Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area
THE FEAR: 'Hluhluwe iMfolozi's anti-poaching unit... and it's quite interesting that they're using dogs to help dogs,' Roger says. I've used a blur technique to reinforce a sense of fear and the fact that the action happens during twylight, when there is an atmosphere of uncertainty in the bush. One member is right up against the frame, which gives you the sense that something very ominous might be just off-screen' THE FEAR: 'Hluhluwe iMfolozi's anti-poaching unit... and it's quite interesting that they're using dogs to help dogs,' Roger says. I've used a blur technique to reinforce a sense of fear and the fact that the action happens during twylight, when there is an atmosphere of uncertainty in the bush. One member is right up against the frame, which gives you the sense that something very ominous might be just off-screen'
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