There are only around 3,000 painted hunting dogs left in Africa!. This is indeed a very endangered species!

Zimbabwe is one of only four countries privileged to have what is known as a 'viable population' - that is, a large enough population capable of surviving in the long term.

It is therefore vitally important that we know not only how many dogs there are but where they are in Zimbabwe. Holding a photographic competition is an ideal way to obtain such information.

In the field of wildlife research there are few ways in which the general public can contribute. This is one of them. The overall aim of the competition is to determine the total number of painted hunting dogs in Zimbabwe. This information will enable National Parks to formulate management plans to ensure the long-term survival of this endangered species. During the years 1956-61 in Zimbabwe alone painted hunting dogs were treated as 'vermin' and between 3 000 and 6000 were shot.

Now is a chance to turn those figures around, so grab your camera and shoot those dogs!!

The competition starts on the 1st of September 1996 and runs for 20 months until the 30th of April 1998 and winners will be advised by mail by the 31st May 1998.

All safari guides in Zimbabwe will have copies of the entry forms, and are eligible to enter the competition themselves. There is also a special competition specifically for safari guides in which they can win a Canon EOS SLR autofocus camera together with a zoom lens donated by Strachans, or a week-end fishing holiday to Margaruque Island kindly offered by Landela Safaris.

There is no limit to the number of entry forms that can be completed. For each sighting with prints, slides or video footage, just fill in a form and send it in. Please also note that even if you have seen dogs in the last 20 years and have photos you are eligible and can send in an entry form. The winners will be drawn from those people who provide accurate information to the Painted Dog Research Project.

By sending photos of Painted Hunting Dogs with a completed entry form you can win:

• 1st Prize - 2 Return Air tickets from Zimbabwe to London (or v.v) on British Airways.
• 2nd Prize - A 10-day Zimbabwe Sun Safari for 2 people.
• 3rd Prize - Two nights at a Landela safari camp for two people.

Smaller prizes, such as Fuji film, will also be available.

The photographs received will be used to add to a computerisd pictorial library which will allow researchers to identify individual dogs. Each dog has a unique coat pattern. Even the left and right sides have different markings - hence the scientific name Lycaon pictus, which translates as 'painted, wolf-like animal'.

The photographic competition will provide valuable data such as pack movements, size of packs and pack dynamics. Dog censusing is very difficult, and numbers are easily over-estimated because dogs move great distances in a short space of time. Travelling around 20 km in a few hours is a mere trot for the dogs who have a home range of approximately 750 sq.km. As a result, photographs are a vital component of the research and help to reduce the risk of the same dogs being counted twice.

Also being investigated from the photographs is a possible link between the suitability of different coat patterns to the habitats the dogs are in. As translocations may well be a powerful tool needed by National Parks to conserve this species, it will be necessary to know the suitability of different coat markings to different habitats. In this way, dogs can be translocated to the habitat that will suit them best.

1. Take clear left and right side photos of as many individual dogs as possible in each pack. Use the best zoom facility you have, and try to get the whole tail in the picture as it is important in identification. When using video, try to film the dogs turning as this enables us to match left and right sides. Still camera users can take shots from behind. Even if your shots don't turn out all that well or the dogs are far away, they are still useful to us. Black and white or colour prints, slides or video footage are all acceptable.
2. Count the number of dogs and record the location as accurately as you can, stating which way you were travelling - e.g., six dogs seen 40 km from Makuti towards Kariba on the main tar road. If you can give a map or GPS reference, then that is even better.
3. Give info on whether dogs were on a kill and what it was, e.g. impala:male. Were lions or hyaenas present? What were the dogs doing ? e.g., running, playing, hunting, sleeping. Were any injured or wearing collars? If so, what colour was the collar?
4. Please enter info and photos you may have of dead dogs.Unfortunately, many dogs are run over by speeding motorists. Let us know the exact location (km peg) where you photographed the dog. Knowing this may help save another dog's life as Slow Down Dogs crossing signs can then be placed at those locations.

Please note that all material will be kept for archival purposes but videos and slides will be returned if specifically asked for. Duplicates are quite acceptable. If you have sightings without photos these are still welcome and will be entered into a smaller draw. Please just ask your guide/lodge for a Sighting Sheet.

Here's hoping you see lots of Painted Hunting Dogs and manage to get photos!!

- Your link with Africa's Wildlife! WildNet Africa (Pty.) Ltd - E-Mail basecamp@wildnetafrica.com PO Box 73528, Lynnwood Ridge 0040, South Africa Tel : +27 (12) 991-3083     ---     Fax : +27 (12) 991-3851