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It is hoped that increased education will result in reduced persecution of wild dogs in unprotected areas. Wild dogs were shot as vermin within National Parks until as late as the 1970s, and their unjustified reputation as ruthless killers has remained, resulting in continued persecution of the species outside National Parks. It the dogs enter farming areas, they are often still shot or poisoned, despite being legally protected in Zambia. They also use roads to hunt and travel and are often victims of fast moving traffic. The feedback from villagers in areas surrounding the National Park has been very positive; most are eager to learn about the dogs and their natural heritage. Full colour school posters and educational leaflets were produced and distributed to school groups, local wildlife conservation organisations, zoos and international visitors.
There is a shortage of photographic material in the village areas so the full colour wild dog pictures were received very enthusiastically by the children and adults alike. Educational talks were continued this year, given to both local school groups and international visitors to the park. In 2002 it is hoped Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) will begin an extensive educational program and have regular visiting school groups from areas surrounding the park. AWDC hopes to broaden its educational work and collaborate with CLZ to give educational talks and wild dog posters to each visiting school group. It is hoped that a volunteer will be assisting AWDC with this work in 2002. |
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© Afrikeye 1999 - 2007 (certain items under permission of original copyright owner) |
