The Effect of the rehabilitation facility as a conservation strategy in the survival and diet of painted dog (Lycaon pictus) in Hwange National Park
- Author
- Sharara Shantal P. N.
- Title
- The Effect of the rehabilitation facility as a conservation strategy in the survival and diet of painted dog (Lycaon pictus) in Hwange National Park
- Abstract
- The African painted dog (Lycaon pictus) is a critically endangered carnivore facing persistent threats from habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Rehabilitation facilities have emerged as a key conservation tool, aiming to rescue injured or orphaned individuals and reintroduce them into the wild. This study investigates the impact of such a facility—specifically the Painted Dog Conservation centre in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe—on the survival and dietary behavior of rehabilitated painted dogs. Through a combination of post-release monitoring, GPS tracking, and scat analysis, the research assesses whether time spent in captivity affects hunting proficiency, prey selection, and overall survival. Preliminary findings suggest that while rehabilitation can reduce short-term mortality and facilitate reintroduction, long-term outcomes depend heavily on social reintegration, competition with other predators, and the restoration of natural foraging behavior. The study contributes to understanding best practices for carnivore rehabilitation and highlights the need for data-driven, species-specific approaches in conservation programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the rehabilitation facility as a conservation strategy in the survival and diet of painted dogs in Hwange National Park. Data was taken from the P.D.C database and observed kills after release of the rehabilitated painted dog in the Hwange National Park. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the prey [diet] of the wild dogs after release. The results of this study revealed that the rehabilitation facility has no effect on the survival of wild dogs after release in Hwange National Park. There is no significant relationship between the rehabilitation and the survival of wild dogs [p>0.05]. Diet [Prey] caught after release was influenced by abundance of the prey. From this study it was concluded that rehabilitation facility has indeed helped with the injuries and diseases of wild dogs and wild life rehabilitators should be encouraged.
- Date
- June 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Painted dog
- Rehabilitation facility
- Lycaon pictus
- Supervisor
- Mr. T. N. C. Mangwiro
- Item sets
- Department of Animal Sciences
