Help us count Kruger National Park’s Cheetahs and African Wild Dogs As part of our ongoing efforts to conserve two of our most threatened carnivores, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the South African National Parks (SANParks) Honorary Rangers are launching the 6th Wild Dog and 4th Cheetah Photographic Survey on 24 September 2014 in the Kruger National Park. Through this photographic survey, both organisations are giving members of the public the opportunity to become carnivore researchers and stand a chance to win great prizes. The survey runs from 24 September 2014 to 24 June 2015.By launching this project on Heritage Day we are celebrating both the African Wild Dog and the Cheetah, as key components of South Africa’s natural heritage. explained Kelly Marnewick, the EWT’s Carnivore Conservation Programme Manager. The African Wild Dog is South Africa’s most Endangered carnivore and there are less than 450 left in the whole country. The previous tourist-driven photographic survey in 2004 resulted in an estimation of 151 Wild Dogs in the Kruger National Park. Cheetahs are classified as Vulnerable with less than 1000 remaining in South Africa and about 412 were identified in the Kruger National Park during the last survey. It is important to monitor and understand the populations of both species to ensure that their conservation status is maintained or improved. Each Cheetah and Wild Dog has a unique coat pattern that helps us to identify individual animals. Photographs obtained from the survey will be used to identify individual Cheetahs and Wild Dogs and thus provide a population estimate. Seeing a Wild Dog or a Cheetah is always a highlight in a guest’s experience when visiting Kruger National Park. The SANParks Honorary Rangers is proud to be involved in creating this opportunity for ordinary visitors to contribute to the conservation of these two species. As unpaid volunteers working with SANParks we understand the key role which ordinary people can play to significantly support conservation and help ensure the future of our national parks. We call on visitors to become involved as citizen scientists and help ensure the conservation of these iconic animals. added Louis Lemmer, SANParks Honorary Rangers National Chairperson. To participate in the survey, interested people need to submit photographs or videos of any Cheetahs or African Wild Dogs spotted in the Kruger National Park during 24 September 2014 to 24 June 2015 to one of the following: - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: @EWTcensus - Facebook: EWTcensus One entry method per entry is permitted e.g. either email or Facebook for a particular sighting. Ideally the side view of both sides of the animal needs to be seen in the photographs, but any photographs are helpful. Complete data needs to accompany the entry in order to be eligible to win a prize. Prizes will be awarded for the entry with the most research value; the person who submits the most diverse entries and the best entry in the children’s category(under 18). For an entry to be valid, the following details are to be included: name, country, email, phone number, and age. For the childrens category provide the date of sighting, location, and the total number of animals in a group. Additional information on the survey is available on ewt.org.za or sanparksvolunteers.org/dogcensus The Kruger National Park is a conservation stronghold for both species and is home to the largest protected population of Cheetahs and Wild Dogs in South Africa. Keeping track of numbers is important to ensure that conservation action can be taken if required. said Marnewick. The prizes up for grabs include: - One Nikon D7100 + 18-140mm lens (Courtesy of Land Rover Centurion); - A Nikon D3100 + 18-55mm DX for the best children’s entry (under 18) (Courtesy of Nikon South Africa); - Two stays in the Kruger National Park including accommodation & conservation fees for two persons for three nights mid-week,excluding Friday & Saturday nights, outside school holidays (Courtesy of SANParks); and - Painted Wolf Wine Hampers (Courtesy of Painted Wolf Wines). The project is supported by: SANParks, Investec Property Ltd., Vaughan de la Harpe (EWT Wild Dog Ambassador), Land Rover South Africa and Land Rover Centurion, Nikon SA, GCCL2, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Painted Wolf Wines. Issued by: Endangered Wildlife Trust and South African National Parks (SANParks) Honorary Rangers
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 06:23:14 +0000