Liwonde’s Wild Dogs

Liwonde National Park in Malawi has been at the heart of an ambitious and inspiring project to reintroduce one of Africa’s most endangered predators—the African wild dog. The initial reintroduction took place in July 2021, when a pack of eight wild dogs was translocated to the park as part of a collaborative effort by African Parks, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, and other conservation partners.

This was a momentous event, as wild dogs had not been present in Malawi for many years. Within weeks, the pack settled into their new home and quickly became a conservation success story. Camera traps captured the arrival of nine pups, marking the first wild dog litter in the country in decades.

The pups thrived under the protection of the adults, and the pack became a symbol of hope for wild dog conservation in Malawi. However, in November 2022, tragedy struck. The entire pack was tragically lost to a poisoning incident, a stark reminder of the ongoing human-wildlife conflict that threatens this species' survival.

The loss of this pack was a devastating blow to the conservation effort in Liwonde. In response, park management swiftly implemented strict measures to prevent such incidents from recurring. These included refresher poisoning awareness training for rangers and enhanced engagement with local communities, police, and the judiciary. In a significant victory, a poacher suspected of being involved in the incident was arrested within Liwonde and sentenced to five years.

Despite the loss, the conservation teams remained resolute. In April 2024, a new pack of wild dogs arrived in Liwonde from Welgevonden Game Reserve in South Africa, reigniting hope for the future of this endangered species in Liwonde. 

This new pack is thriving, and there’s more exciting news: WDF5, one of the pack members, is pregnant. This marks a critical step in the recovery process, with the potential birth of pups symbolizing a fresh start for the wild dog population in Liwonde.

Image: Timon Cornelissen