ECOVOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

AFRICAN HUNTING DOGS / WILD DOGS / PAINTED DOGS

As a SPECIAL SPONSOR in ,

2006 - 2007

PAINTED DOG CONSERVATION PROJECT THE ECOVOLUNTEER PROGRAM

You can freely download this project file and files on other projects from the homepage for this project within the Ecovolunteer website: http://www.ecovolunteer.org/ (or from the national ecovolunteer domains).

As it is necessary for you in this project to be able to communicate in English, this text is provided only in English.

The text of this brochure is developed in cooperation with the project staff. Annually, under the supervision of the staff the text is updated. Nevertheless you may experience some changes in the field compared to the brochure text. It is inherent to wildlife conservation / research programs that during the operations incidental changes are necessary because of unexpected results, behaviour by the wildlife, etc. Be prepared for such changes. (last update September 2006).

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CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 3 2 THE AFRICAN HUNTING DOG...... 4 2.1 Distribution...... 5 2.2 Behaviour...... 5 2.3 Ecology ...... 6 2.4 Threats...... 7 3 THE PROJECT...... 8 4 ZIMBABWE...... 10 5 ...... 11 6 HOW YOU CAN HELP...... 13 7 CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION ...... 14 8 TRAVEL INFORMATION ...... 15 8.1 Price ...... 15 8.2 Period ...... 15 8.3 Included in the price...... 15 8.4 Not included in the price...... 15 8.5 Accommodation...... 15 8.6 Meals...... 16 8.7 Attainability...... 16 8.8 Flights...... 16 8.9 Transfers to and from the Hwange Airport ...... 16 8.10 Health...... 16 8.11 Medical services ...... 16 8.12 Insurance...... 17 9 VISITOR GUIDELINES - AT THE DOG HOUSE...... 18 10 RULES OF PARTICIPATION AND AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING...... 19 11 PERSONAL TRAVELING EQUIPMENT...... 21 12 LITERATURE...... 22 12.1 Zimbabwe ...... 22 12.2 The ...... 22 12.3 Some scientific articles on Painted Hunting Dogs ...... 22 13 USEFULL INFORMATION...... 24 13.1 Health...... 24 13.2 Climate...... 24 13.3 Passport & visa ...... 24 13.4 Language ...... 24 13.5 Time...... 24 13.6 Currency...... 24

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1 INTRODUCTION

The African wild dog or African or Painted hunting dog is an exceptional, enigmatic species: Maybe the most social of all mammals with altruistic tendencies including the feeding of sick and disabled comrades. Until recently they numbered tens of thousands, found in all 39 Sub Sahara African countries. Sadly these tricoloured dogs now number a mere three thousand individuals in the whole of Africa, and find themselves on the brink of extinction. Four countries have viable populations, Zimbabwe's, numbering approximately 700, being a key stronghold for the species. Only six populations in the whole of Africa are believed to number more than 100 animals.

Man is responsible for the majority of deaths with road kills, snares and persecution by farmers taking a heavy toll. The threat of disease transmitted from domestic dogs is also a constant danger. Being uniquely susceptible to habitat fragmentation they are also suffering under the increasing agricultural activity of humans.

This project has been operating since 1992 and is dedicated to the conservation of Africa's most endangered carnivore. The dogs need your support for their survival. As a "special sponsor" you may join the project and experience first hand what it is like to live and work on a conservation project in Africa. A truly unique experience.

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2 THE AFRICAN HUNTING DOG

The African of Painted Hunting Dog is also known rather misleadingly as a Wild Dog, or Cape hunting dog, which suggests that the species is a wild version of the domestic dog. The species is actually a completely different species not at all closely related to the true dogs, the scientific name Lycaon pictus, translates as 'painted, wolf-like animal'. The species and its genus is unique to Africa. Consequently the more descriptive name for the so gaily patterned species is the African or Painted Hunting Dog. The species does belong to the Canidae (dog like animals) but not the true dog line, which includes domestic dogs, wolves and jackals. It is the single species in its genus, representing an evolutionary line of its own that is unique to Africa. Major differences between the long-legged and slender African Hunting Dog and its distant relatives is in the teeth and toes; they have highly specialized shearing teeth and four toes instead of five on its front feet and they have characteristic large rounded ears.

Having a body length of 75-100 cm., shoulder height 60-75 cm. and a tail 30-40 cm. Long, the African Hunting Dog is a lightweight carnivore - but not a lightweight dog - of 20-25 kg. The dogs have patches of black, tan and white with a geographically variable spotted coloration of their coat that is sufficiently unique for no two animals to have the same pattern. Dogs of the Woodland Zone and southern Africa are lighter, with more extensive white and tan patches, and bigger (up to 30 kg.). They almost always have a white tipped tail; it is used much as a domestic dog uses its tail - as an indicator of mood. The colours on their coat act as a means of telling each other apart, like a fingerprint is to a human. They have long, thin legs that are built for speed and stamina, which they need for catching their prey. In motion, he is a stunning combination of brilliant colour demonstrating perfect grace, form and function. Their vision is strong and they hunt by sight, scent and hearing which enables them to be highly successful in both grassland and in thick bush. The dog is built for endurance and can travel at 60 km per hour for up to five kilometres. Captives are known to live 10 years, but they have a very high turn over rate in the wild.

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2.1 Distribution African Hunting Dogs were once common in Africa south of the Sahara Desert in areas of semi-desert to mountainous in virtually every environment except rain forests and deserts. Hence there is no "typical" habitat for the species, sufficient prey species being the determining factor, a century ago, their packs could be seen roaming nearly everywhere and were a common sight. Nowadays the species is extinct, or nearly extinct, in 20 countries of its former range. Many of the remaining populations are too fragmented to remain viable. A combination of a natural wanderlust and bad image among humans has driven them from nearly two thirds of their original range. They have disappeared from 25 of the 39 countries in which they were formerly recorded, and only six populations are believed to number more than 100 individuals. Numbering a mere 3,000 in the whole of Africa, and only 600 packs of wild dogs, remain in the wild. With only four countries known to have viable populations, it is clear that the situation is urgent and that these unique animals face extinction unless we take action now.

2.2 Behaviour African Hunting Dogs have strong family bonds headed by an alpha male and alpha female. They live in stable groups of related males and related females, individuals or small groups leave to join a different pack at 24 to 36 months old, with the males travelling great distances. Another unique fact is that pups are given priority for feeding, through regurgitation when very young and later at the carcass when they are able to follow a hunt; adults wait until youngsters have finished. The dogs engage in cooperative hunting following the direction signals of the alpha male. The dogs tend to be diurnal and active for 4-5 hours a day: the hunting occurs around dawn and dusk and by the light of a full moon. The dogs seldom scavenge, but are true hunters hence their name. They mainly hunt for small and medium and in Zimbabwe, approximately 98% of their diet consists of duiker, , and , but the dogs will feed on other animals. Hunting technique varies within narrow limits and consists of a silent approach followed by a fast chase. When they bring down food the dogs swiftly kill their prey by disembowelment. Though this may not sound very efficient, it is in fact very quick: the prey is generally dispatched in seconds rather than minutes. The dogs are not water dependant, receiving adequate amounts of water from the blood of their prey. They are truly social animals that thrive on co-operation. Bonds between members are continually reinforced at 'greeting ceremonies, which usually occur before the daily hunt but are also seen during play interactions. Unlike other large carnivores, they rarely fight among themselves even for dominance or food. Also very touching, and unlike most animals, they will care for their sick and injured by returning to regurgitate food or lick the wounds clean when necessary.

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African Hunting Dogs have the most highly developed social structure of any canid, including wolves. They live in 'packs' that vary widely in size but average from 10 to 15 animals - males, females, and young. These packs have a home range of 750 -1500 square kilometres and are thus deemed nomadic having no home base except during the denning season. Social living of the dogs is interesting and unusual. There are parallel, independent hierarchies for the males and females. All members of the pack, male and female cooperate in the raising of the pups. When they mature, the male pups tend to remain with the pack for three to four years and the females for two to three before they disperse from their natal pack with the intention of forming a pack of their own. Pack members exhibit well-defined greeting behaviours, the most obvious being affectionate face licking. They greet one another and maintain their bonds through vocalizations, body posture, and licking. For example, they have a ritualised midday greeting ceremony in which all members of the pack run around in excitement, squeaking and thrusting their muzzles into one another's faces. Before the dogs go on a hunt they preform a ritualistic behaviour known as the "meet," where the dogs mill around each other as anticipation for the hunt rises. Hunting strategies vary according to habitat, but typically an individual is "selected" - usually one that's slowed by old age or disease - and is despatched quickly after a chase. The dogs are swift, tireless runners. They've been known to chase prey for an hour, for as far as 5.6 km.

The dogs have an unusual breeding system. The dominant female in the pack is called the Alfa. She will normally be the only one to have puppies, but when other members of the pack have puppies the Alfa will take them away from their biological mother and raise them as her own. When the real mother tries to take back her puppies, the Alfa will not let her and will fight her off. So typically only one pair of dogs reproduces in a pack; other pack members act cooperatively to care for the young and the Alpha. The food is brought in the stomachs of the others and must be regurgitated before the Alfa can eat it. When the pups are older, the same process brings food to them. It has been said that this is the most social species of all mammals, never living apart from a pack at any stage in their lives. Perhaps the most obvious expression of the wild dogs' altruistic tendencies is their feeding style. A wild dog kill is an orderly affair and very uncharacteristic for large carnivores each member is allowed to join. In contrast to other predators such as , the dogs puppies and also weak, sick and disabled dogs have priority at the kill for the first year of their life after which time the privilege is passed on to the new litter.

2.3 Ecology African Hunting Dogs have a similar role in nature to that of the well-known wolf of the northern hemisphere in that it removes weak and unhealthy

African wild dogs in Zimbabwe - 2007 Page 6 © www.ecovolunteer.org animals from the prey population. They therefore are key players in maintaining the health and balance of an ecosystem. Travelling around 20 km in a few hours is a mere trot for the dogs that have a home range of approximately 750 sq. km. The packs range over very large areas - from 1,560-3,900 sq km a year. Even large parks may not provide enough territory to support viable dog populations. Therefore loss of habitat is particularly critical for nomadic animals like this species.

2.4 Threats Once numbering in the hundreds of thousands, now the status of the African Hunting Dogs is 'endangered' - meaning in danger of extinction and their survival is unlikely if the causal factors continue to operate. It is a species in crisis: its numbers and distributional range have declined dramatically since the seventies. To save this charismatic creature drastic and rapid action is required. The factors affecting the survival of populations are many, with natural predators such as lions and taking their toll by killing the dogs directly or by stealing the dogs hard earned kill. Also canine distemper, introduced to Africa in 1906, has probably kept numbers down. Rabies and parvovirus are hazards in some localities, as is the constant threat of disease transmitted from domestic dogs. While the dogs lose some members to natural predation, man is responsible for the majority of deaths. Road kills, direct persecution by some farmers and ranchers, as well as snares currently take the heaviest toll on packs that leave the protection of National Parks however briefly. The tendency for the dogs to wander often puts them in contact with humans who have persecuted them since colonial days. Half the wild dogs found dead in reserves have been shot, snared, poisoned, or killed by road traffic. This imposes a severe drain on the protected populations. This carnage effectively blocks any form of increase in the national population. More than any other species in Africa, the dogs show the difficulty of conservation in fragmented landscapes. Unless we are able to insure the integrity of Africa's protected areas, this species will disappear.

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3 THE PROJECT

Based adjacent to Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, was established in 1992 by Project Director, Gregory Rasmussen. The project is dedicated to the conservation of Africa's most endangered carnivore. A policy of conservation through action and education has seen a dramatic increase in the dogs fortunes, though there is still along way to go. Research into the high mortalities caused by man is underway, the development of a reflective, anti-snare, radio collar one of the results to date. In order to further understand the needs of the dogs, habitat and vital communication skills are also being studied, with the results of the research being used to conserve the dogs. The project also operates a vital educational and awareness programme with local schools and farms.

In affiliation with National Parks, the Natural History Museum, the Veterinary Research Wildlife Unit, and the Foundation for Africa, the project links the various facets of research on this species. The project is actively monitoring the vulnerable populations that leave the sanctuary of National Parks, as well as the survival of the National Pack. Also being investigated are all possible causes of death, with the dogs being screened for parasites and disease. Problems are being identified, and practical measures are being taken to assist the survival of the dogs. In order to achieve this, an attempt is being made to collar as many dogs as possible so that their survival and movements can be monitored. Linked to the research side is a conservation awareness program, which covers schools, ranches and communal lands. It is the intention of the project to play an active role in ensuring the long-term survival of dogs in Zimbabwe.

A rehabilitation facility for injured dogs has been completed comprising of a 28 hectares long term holding enclosure, plus a 0.4 hectare intermediate enclosure and a smaller intensive management area for seriously injured dogs. These three management areas are linked via raceways to facilitate movement of any dogs and allow for pack formation prior to release of any unrelated individual dogs. The enclosures currently house two orphaned dogs who were dug out of their den when only a few months old. The rehabilitation facility is preparing them for release back into the wild.

™ Goals & Objectives for 2006 - 2007: Driven by the belief that conservation does not occur on an island we have highlighted limited environmental awareness and a lack of economic opportunities as significant factors threatening the future of the species. Thus the implementation of an Education & Development Programme based around the construction of a Community Conservation Education Centre has been identified as a critical step towards tackling the problem. The Centres principal objective is to bring direct and real benefit to the local peoples in

African wild dogs in Zimbabwe - 2007 Page 8 © www.ecovolunteer.org terms of increased employment and unparalleled education opportunities. The Centres goal is not merely to teach new concepts about the environment, but to promote an emotional attachment to it that will lead to a lifelong attitude of caring for it.

The “Iganyana” Children's Bush Camp opened in May 2004. • Here an extended experiential education programme has been developed, linked to the National Curriculum for grade six children, with a philosophy aimed at affecting healthy developments in the perspectives, attitudes and feelings of the students toward the environment. • Fifteen primary schools that border Hwange National Park have been targeted to begin the annual program

A Visitor Centre is scheduled for completion in 2007 • Its functions are to raise awareness and funds for the educational programme through a reception and gift shop. Information on the Hunting Dog Conservation Organisation and the facilities of the centre will be available together with Hwange and painted dog related artistic and educational items for sale • The Painted Dog Interpretive Hall, free to the public, teaches visitors about the greater Hwange ecosystem, the plight of the painted dog and how they can help, through a series of artistic, informative and interactive stations. • Walkway / Trail System; invites visitors to explore aspects of the Rehabilitation Facility and the surrounding teak woodlands community, with interpretive stops. Funds for the project will be raised through three scale entrance fees: national, regional and international. • The Centre will also provide a platform for the development of environmentally friendly, sustainable income generating projects in local communities and become a significant tourist attraction for the area thus providing a further boost for the local economy.

Logistics are a problem that will need your understanding. The project is totally vehicle dependent. Nothing happens without a four- wheel drive, which is a very expensive vehicle to run especially with the mileage that the project has to cover.

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4 ZIMBABWE

The Southern African country of Zimbabwe is bordered by , Botswana, and . It has a vast amount of natural history and you would have to travel for several weeks to see only the natural wonders of this country. Zimbabwe is blessed with spectacular variety and beauty. The legendary form a ferocious seventeen hundred metre wide curtain of water plunging into the gorge below. Downstream is Lake Kariba, a huge inland sea. Further downstream still is the Mana Pools area, famous for its canoeing safaris. To the east are the Highlands, fine walking and fishing country. In the west, the otherworldly jumble of granite rocks that make the Matobo Hills National Park so bewitching. Then there are 's ruins of past civilisations, massive stone constructions of a culture whose roots are lost in the distant past, and bushman art. Sprinkled from one end of the country to the other is a profusion of wildlife. Hwange National Park (formerly known as "Wankee") boasts a huge concentration of elephant. The capital city of this diverse country is the modern city of Harare, a convenient point at which to start or end your journey. A friendly, welcoming country despite the fairly recent troublesome history of civil war and drought. An excellent infrastructure links all main destinations making it ideal for independent travellers.

Natural vegetation in Zimbabwe is mainly Miombo and woodland. is rich and comparable to that in eastern Africa, with some species of gazelle missing but with added such as and Roan. Zimbabwe is one of only four countries privileged to have what is known as a 'viable population' for the African Wild Dog - that is, a large enough population capable of surviving in the long term. The Zimbabwean population, currently one of the remaining potential strongholds for the species, stands at approximately 700 individuals. These are concentrated in three main locations: Hwange, Gonarezhou and the Zambezi valley. A large proportion of the national pack is outside the confines of National Parks estate and is thus very vulnerable. These dogs need your assistance!

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5 HWANGE NATIONAL PARK

Hwange National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience southern Africa as it was fifty years ago with its great mammal herds still intact, as well as an impressive variety of life. Hwange is Zimbabwe's oldest national park, initially declared a protected area in 1928, is a vast, wedge-shaped expanse of rugged, heat-blistered terrain in the far west of Zimbabwe, and it ranks among the aristocrats of Africa's game sanctuaries. Comprising three safari areas, two indigenous forests, and Zimbabwe's premier game reserve, Hwange National Park, the region is by far the largest wilderness area in Zimbabwe and one of the biggest African game reserves. In the nineteenth century this was the hunting area for the Ndebele kings. In the twentieth century it was the hunting grounds for the 'white hunter'. The reserve covers nearly 14,620 sq.km of dry Kalahari sandveld in the west, teak-woodlands in the east and dry savanna's and woodland savannas in the north. It is one of the most impressive game sanctuaries for the whole of Africa and sustains a greater variety and density of large animals than any other conservation area in the country. Specifically, Hwange is home to around 15,000 buffalo, 3,000 , 3,000 , 16 species of antelope, including 5,000 handsome kudu and 200 sable, and an impressive 25 different kinds of carnivore out of a total of 115 mammal species (in fact most of the southern African mammal species). Among the predators in the park are and , the beautiful , and the spotted and Painted Hunting Dog. Hwange National Park is especially known, though for its elephants. During the rains, which in good years fall from November through to February, the herds are dispersed many of them migrating across the border into Botswana. But in the dry southern hemisphere winter season more than 20,000 of these gentle, but environmentally destructive giants are drawn to Hwange's sixty-odd natural pans and pump-supplied waterholes. Additionally birdlife is prolific and about 400 species of are known from this national park and about 70 species of reptiles. From September to March many species of migrating birds winter in this region. Birders are likely to encounter Dark chanting-goshawk, Lizard buzzard, Natal francolin, Racket- tailed roller, Bradfield's , Southern ground-hornbill, Black tit, Kurrichane Thrush, Red-billed helmetshrike, and Red-headed weaver. This wide variety of mammal and bird species is supported by the range of vegetation and soil types, from ancient teak forests, acacia and terminalia woodlands, pans, open grasslands and areas of Kalahari. The northern parts of the park are characterised by rocky outcrops, extensive Kalahari woodlands: teak forests and mopane woodlands. Mopane trees have characteristically butterfly-formed, easily recognizable leaves and form favourite habitat for species like elephant, net-giraffe and impala.

African wild dogs in Zimbabwe - 2007 Page 11 © www.ecovolunteer.org But the remainder of Hwange - about 80% of the park - is fairly flat and open, pan systems and acacia groves which is ideal for game-viewing but which, in the interests of conservation, is accessible only to specialist or private camping and photographic safaris.

The northern part of the national park has been opened for tourism, the southern part of the national park is still absolute wilderness. Tourists have a choice of three major camps (Main Camp, Sinamatella and Robins Camp) located in the northern sector and a number of smaller campsites and lodges, all linked by around 480 km of dirt roads along which there are picnic sites, and waterholes overlooked by viewpoints. This network of game viewing roads leads the visitor to some of the greatest concentrations of game in the world. Main Camp is the principal entry point for the park and serves as the administrative headquarters. It has a grocery shop, petrol station, restaurant and a variety of fully equipped cottages. A short distance from the camp is Nyamandhlovu Pan and Guvalala viewing platforms - ideal vantage points for seeing a variety of wildlife, including elephant, giraffe, , zebra, , impala and buffalo, and with exceptionally good luck a lion kill or the rare black rhino or leopard. Other mammals in the national park are for instance , blackbacked jackal, and white-trailed mongoose. Hwange airport lies just beyond Main Camp as well as the railway line at Dete.

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6 HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you are 18 years or older and speak the English language, you can support this project by applying as a "Special Sponsor". Your help will play its part in halting the imminent extinction of this species.

The project relies solely on donations of money and equipment from individuals, companies and conservation organizations.

You will experience first hand the reality of operating a conservation project in one of Africa's premier wildlife areas.

You will be involved on a day to day basis with the following aspects of the project:

1. Telemetry work. The dogs are fitted with reflective, anti-snare radio collars. Every day a packs movement are monitored This can involve several days living 'rough' in the bush. 2. The above data once collected has to be entered into the projects database along with other vital information on sightings, forming the basis of the research. 3. Assist in the education / awareness program by visiting local schools. 4. Surveys of game species at strategic locations in a packs home range provide essential data. You will assist with these counts, possibly spending the night by a waterhole if a 24-hour survey is being carried out. 5. Constant maintenance and repairs are required of project vehicles and "The Dog House". 6. Collaring and translocation operations are periods of intense activity, you may be asked to participate in these specialized activities. 7. Assist with the mapping of unmarked roads and tracks in a packs home range. This will involve using GPS (= global positioning system) equipment and many kilometres of walking through the bush with the projects tracker. 8. Patrols to remove snares with the projects anti poaching team. 9. Assist with the construction / maintenance work of the Children’s Bush Camp, Rehabilitation facility and CCEC. 10. Help with the care of the orphaned / injured dogs in the rehabilitation facility.

You will operate under the supervision of project manager, Peter Blinston Working for seven days a week, with varying hours both day and night. Flexibility and initiative are required in large amounts.

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7 CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

Because of the nature of the project and the very primitive conditions of living in the project it is necessary to fulfil the following conditions for participation:

1. You must be in good physical and mental condition, be able to walk long distances in rough terrain and be able to tolerate the heat. Preparation before arrival is advised. 2. You must speak the English language 3. You must be 18 years or older 4. You must be available for three weeks 5. You must be prepared adhere to specific instructions and conditions. 6. You must have a positive, cooperative attitude towards working and living in a group and take the responsibilities that this way of life holds. Your stay with the project will be very primitive.

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8 TRAVEL INFORMATION

8.1 Price Period of three weeks (a stay longer than three weeks regretfully is not allowed): prices as specified on the Ecovolunteer website www.ecovolunteer.org or your national ecovolunteer website.

8.2 Period The project will accept participants from for three week periods as specified on the Ecovolunteer website www.ecovolunteer.org. The project requires bookings to be made at least one month before the planned date of arrival, plan your arrival and departure on Mondays.

A maximum of six ecovolunteers at any given time.

8.3 Included in the price * Accommodation (see below) * Basic meals (see below) * Supervision * Transfers to and from Hwange Airport, Hwange Safari Lodge or Ganda Lodge (see below)

8.4 Not included in the price * Flights to and from Hwange Airport and airport taxes (see below) • Internal transfers except as above • National park Fees * Passport & visa * Local taxes * Travel and cancellation insurance (mandatory; see below) * Personal expenses such as alcoholic drinks, telephone bills, souvenirs etc.

8.5 Accommodation You will stay at the project base but may camp for several days in the bush with no facilities. A mosquito net could be required depending on the time of the year.

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8.6 Meals Meals and cooking utensils will be provided along with basic supplies. Cooperation with preparing meals is expected. The food will be simple and sufficient. You can purchase additional supplies locally if you want to.

8.7 Attainability Be ware that this project is NOT a normal tourism-operation and that attainability of participants may be somewhat restricted. The project has phone & email facilities, (NOT INTERNET ACCESS) though there could be a few days delay in receiving messages if you are in the bush. Please inform friends and family at home that it might not be possible for them to contact you directly. These facilities can be used only for emergencies, and charges will apply. You will be informed of the full address.

8.8 Flights Your national ecovolunteer agency will inform you on the flight connections to Zimbabwe, and he may provide the necessary tickets for you.

8.9 Transfers to and from the Hwange Airport You will be met on a Monday and at certain pick-up locations by project personnel without extra charge, provided that the information on day and time of arrival and the flight number are sent to the Ecovolunteer Program at least fourteen days before your arrival in Zimbabwe. Your Ecovolunteer Agency will inform you on the possibilities for this.

8.10 Health Contact your local health department for appropriate malaria precautions and relevant vaccinations. Tick bite fever is not prevalent in this area.

8.11 Medical services There are a number of very very basic clinics within a few minutes drive of the project base. The nearest international standard hospital is in , which is a three hour drive away. These times and distances obviously increase tremendously if you are out in the field. MARS ( Medical Air rescue service) do operate in Zimbabwe and are very good. This may be covered on the individuals travel insurance.

African wild dogs in Zimbabwe - 2007 Page 16 © www.ecovolunteer.org 8.12 Insurance You are required to carry both travel insurance and cancellation insurance. Your booking office will advise you and may provide you with the necessary insurances. Neither the Ecovolunteer Program, the Painted Hunting Dog Research Project nor their employees will accept any liabilities that could have been covered by travel insurance or a cancellation insurance.

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9 VISITOR GUIDELINES - AT THE DOG HOUSE

There is no such thing as rubbish! Most things can be re-used, plastic bottles & bags, even old batteries. ASK BEFORE THROWING IT AWAY.

Anything that does make it to the rubbish pile is BURNT, especially CANS, then buried.

CANS are a problem, buy bottled drinks.

There is plenty of water and it is safe to drink.

Wood for fires is not so plentiful so be conservative with usage.

Clean up after yourself don't leave it for someone else, scraps of food and dirty plates soon attract ants.

Everyone is expected to help with cooking and cleaning.

African wild dogs in Zimbabwe - 2007 Page 18 © www.ecovolunteer.org 10 RULES OF PARTICIPATION AND AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING

1. The immediate adherence at all times to instructions given by Project staff, is a prerequisite to continued participation in the programme. In many situations the participant will not have enough experience to make a sound judgement, particularly when in the bush, where contact with potentially dangerous wildlife can and often does occur.

2. Walking away from the project base or bush camps is prohibited unless under the supervision of Project staff.

3. The driving of Project vehicles is prohibited unless permission is given.

4. The Project will assist if participants are ill or injured. The participant, who must have adequate medical cover, will meet costs incurred.

5. Excessive alcohol consumption or the use of drugs, including marijuana will result in the termination of a participant's involvement with no refund of contribution.

6. In the event of a participant's involvement in The Project being terminated for disciplinary reasons no refund of contribution will be given.

7. In the event of a participants involvement being terminated for reasons such as safety, inability to cope with conditions or personal reasons raised by the participant a pro-rata refund of contribution will be at The Project Managers discretion and will not exceed 50% of the contribution.

8. A participant can not specify particular jobs, and is expected to adapt completely to The Projects requirements as instructed.

9. All participants must familiarise themselves with the details concerning the concept and focus of The Project in terms of activities, living conditions and arrangements.

10. A total fluency in English is not required. However it must be understood that all instructions will be given in English, therefore a sound understanding of the English language is required.

11. Travel to and involvement in The Project as a participant is at the individuals own risk. The Project staff and agents will in no way be held responsible for any loss, injury or death incurred by the participant during the duration of his or her stay in Zimbabwe.

Name of participant

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I have read and understand the above rules of participation and agreement of understanding and hereby agree to abide by its content.

Signature: Date:

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11 PERSONAL TRAVELING EQUIPMENT

Below you will find a list of items we recommend you to bring with you. It is very important that you follow this advice because an insufficient or wrong outfit can ruin your trip and that of others. When you are well prepared you can enjoy your stay at Zimbabwe in the best possible way.

• Mosquito net plus repellent (seasonal) • Head torch (plenty of batteries) • Valid passport • Personal spending money. • Small backpack. • Sunglasses. • Sun lotion. • Cotton clothing, shorts, longs, shirts. • Warm clothing, fleece, sweatshirts etc. • Good walking boots. • Hat. • Stainless steel flasks are useful but not essential. • Water bottle. • Towel. • Camera and film. • Binoculars. • Personal items as required. • Wash kit. • First aid kit.

When in nature, when in the presence of wildlife, so as to impact their environments as little as possible, please follow the following guideline. Don’t wear brightly colored or high-contrast clothing and rucksack, but do wear subdued, muted or neutral colors, like khaki, tan, beige, green brown, etc. Also don’t use material that cracks when you walk or when you use it. And don’t wear perfume or after-shave lotion, do refrain from smoking and use unscented deodorant. You do not want to pollute the environment of the wildlife with foreign sights, sounds and smells.

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12 LITERATURE

We strongly advise you, before you leave, to read some books: at least one on the country you visit and at least one on the species that you are going to work for.

12.1 Zimbabwe In travel bookshops you may easily find a range of good travel guides on Zimbabwe.

12.2 The African Wild Dog Woodroffe, R, J.R. Ginsberg & D.W. Macdonald and the IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group. 1997. The African Wild Dog: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN (World Conservation Union) Species survival Commission, Cambridge, UK. 166 pp.

Several other books on Painted Hunting Dogs are out of print, but you may be able to locate these books in libraries or second hand book shops: Scott, J. 1991. Painted wolves - wild dogs of the Serengeti-Mara. Hamish Hamilton, London. Pearson, J. Hunters of the plains. Lawick, H. Baron van. 1971. Innocent killers. Lawick, H., Baron van. 1974. Solo: The story of an African Wild Dog. Frame, G. 1981. Swift and Enduring: and Wild Dogs of the Serengeti. Winchester-Gould, D. We kill.

12.3 Some scientific articles on Painted Hunting Dogs Burrows, R. 1992. Rabies in wild dogs. Nature. 359:277. Burrows, R., Hofer, H. and East, M.L. 1994. Demography, extinction and intervention in a small population: the case of the Serengeti wild dogs. Proceedings of the Royal Society, London, Series B 256:281-292. Creel, S. 1992. Cause of wild dog deaths. Nature. 360:633. Creel, S. and Creel, N.M. 1995. Communal hunting and pack size in African wild dogs, Lycaon pictus. Animal Behaviour 50:1325-1339. Fanshawe, J.H. and Fitzgibbon, C.D. 1993. Factors influencing the hunting success of an Painted Hunting Dog pack. Animal Behaviour 45:479-490. Fuller, T.K. and Kat, P.W. 1993. Hunting success of Painted Hunting Dogs in south-western Kenya. Journal of Mammalogy. 74:464- 467. Ginsberg, J.R., Mace, G.M., and Albon, S. 1995. Local extinction in a small and declining population: wild dogs in the Serengeti. Proceedings of the Royal Society, London Series B 262:221-228. Lande, R. 1993. Risks of population extinction from demographic and environmental stochasticity and random catastrophes. American Naturalist 142:911-927.

African wild dogs in Zimbabwe - 2007 Page 22 © www.ecovolunteer.org Macdonald, D.W. 1992. Cause of wild dog deaths. Nature. 360:633-634. Malcolm, J.R. and Marten, K. 1982. Natural selection and the communal rearing of pups in Painted Hunting Dogs. Beh. Ecol. Sociobiol. 10:1-13.

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13 USEFULL INFORMATION

13.1 Health You will need some vaccinations and tablets when you go to Zimbabwe, such as diphtheria, typhoid, jaundice and malaria prophylaxis. Please contact the local health department in your own country about this.

13.2 Climate The climate in Zimbabwe is a tropical savannah climate: a relatively warm rainy season (November - March), a transition period (March - mid May), a cool dry season (mid May - mid August) and a warm dry season (mid August - November). The altitude influences the temperatures. Its altitude of 1000m governs the climate in the Hwange area. The average daytime temperatures fluctuate between 26°C for January and 19°C for July. Usually daytime temperature fluctuates in between 20-28°C. The average rainfall fluctuates between 147 mm in January and 0 mm in July (annually 863 mm). The nights and early mornings can be very cold; temperatures of 0°C and below are common. Warm clothing is essential. The daytime temperatures can then rise to over 30°C, therefore many layers of clothing is the best way to deal with such fluctuations. Rainfall is not uncommon from September onwards.

13.3 Passport & visa Your booking office will inform you about the passport and (tourist) visa requirements appropriate for your nationality.

13.4 Language The official languages in Zimbabwe are Shona, Ndebele and English.

13.5 Time Zimbabwe time is one hour ahead of Central European Time.

13.6 Currency The local currency is Zimbabwe dollars.

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