Kruger National Parks Cheetah and Wild Dog Census

Prizes are up for grabs for members of the public who help the Kruger National Park and the Endangered Wildlife Trusts Carnivore Conservation Group with a Cheetah and Wild Dog census.

This six month photographic census is different from any previous census of its type in that it involves the public in the counting of two of the threatened carnivore species found in the KNP at the same time the Vulnerable Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and the Endangered Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) as classified by the IUCN (World Conservation Union).

This is only the second time in the more than 100-year history of the KNP that the Cheetah population has been counted. The first census was conducted in 1991/1992 and 172 individuals were identified.

This is the fifth Wild Dog census and previous results portray a fluctuating population of this endangered species. In 1989, the population stood at 357, in 1995 it stood at 434 and in 2000 it had dropped to 177 individuals. It is believed that these fluctuations are natural and the populations seem to do better during dry periods when prey is possibly easier to catch.

Census operations on any animal species within the boundaries of the KNP are important in order to get an idea of that animals status within the context of biodiversity management.

Both animals are classified as threatened or vulnerable, by the IUCN, a further reason for the need to further research population patterns of these animals. It is well understood that Wild Dogs in particular have distinctive colour patterns and individual animals can be recognized in this way. Thanks to scars, size and other characteristics, it is hoped that Cheetahs can be counted in the same way.

As the southern half of the KNP is visited more extensively, entrants are asked to pay special attention to the northern areas of the Park. The competition also covers the private game reserves bordering the KNPs western boundary, including the Sabi Sands, Manyeleti, Timbavati, Klaserie and Umbabat, where no fences exist between these areas and the KNP.

When guests to the Park see either Cheetah or Wild Dog, they are asked to attempt to get clear photographic or video images of either, and preferably both sides of each animal in that particular pack or group and to record all relevant information of the sighting including the species, date, time, location, group composition (total, adult males, adult females, young) and any other notes and details of the photographs that might be relevant.