Garonga is situated within the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve (GMPGR), which has recently joined the Wild Dog Range Expansion Project. This initiative, coordinated by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the Wild Dog Advisory Group of South Africa (WAG SA), aims to prevent the extinction of wild dogs.
The project’s primary goal is to increase wild dog populations and their habitat across southern Africa. This involves creating, maintaining, and expanding safe spaces for wild dogs, reducing threats to their survival, fostering positive human attitudes towards them, and supporting stronger protective laws. Despite these efforts, wild dogs remain one of Africa’s most endangered species, facing significant threats from snaring, poaching, disease, roadkill, and habitat loss.
In southern Africa, the EWT’s work has helped stabilize the wild dog population at approximately 500 individuals. The GMPGR, now a national private nature reserve spanning 27,000 hectares, has been recognized as an ideal location for introducing a stable pack of wild dogs, thanks to its size, ecology, and dedicated conservation efforts. Wild dogs have previously traversed the area, but this introduction aims to establish a permanent pack within the reserve.
The size of the Makalali and the limited number of camps, ensures a very exclusive wilderness experience in this remote and beautiful part of South Africa.
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