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A Wild Dog pack feed on a Bushbuck kill in South Luangwa National Park. Did you know that the radio-collaring of carnivores for research, monitoring, and conservation is not a new technique? In fact, it has been used in parks all over the world since the 1960s! A radio collar is essentially a transmitter connected to a small battery and antenna that is enclosed in material. This transmitter emits a signal with a specific frequency that is picked up with tracking equipment either on the ground or from a plane. Radio collars serve multiple uses, the most important of which, is allowing ZCP/DNPW field teams to reliably and regularly find species like dogs that range over thousands of square kilometres. Once at a sighting, teams collect data on survival, reproduction, diet, dispersal, disease, genetics, behaviour and predator-prey dynamics (to name just a few), as well as monitor and protect them from poaching snares, poisonings and other human threats. As a direct result of radio-collars, and combined anti-poaching support from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and @conservationsouthluangwa, Wild Dog numbers in South Luangwa alone, are more than what has been estimated for the entirety of Eastern Zambia. PC: Jesse De Voe (field ecologist) #zcp_org #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #dnpw #conservationsouthluangwa #collaboration #conservationinaction #research #ecology #carnivores #herbivores #radiotrackingcollars #radiocollars #tracking #telonics #aerialtracking #plane #fieldwork #antipoaching #desnaring #veterinary #vets #wildlifeconservation #conservation #wilddogs #paintedwolves #paintedwolf #endangeredspecies #southluangwa #zambia
Local residents queue with their domestic dogs at a vaccination clinic run by ZCP/CSL Vet Dr Mwamba Sichande and the Department of Veterinary and Livestock Development in South Luangwa. Domestic dogs are often the primary source of disease transmission to wild carnivores, and also pose human health threats from rabies and other diseases when not vaccinated. Together with our long-term partners @conservationsouthluangwa, ZCP have assisted in the vaccination of nearly 200 domestic dogs in Mfuwe from Kakumbi, Nsefu, and Mnkhanya Chiefdoms. #zcp_org #zambiancarnivoreprogramme #conservationsouthluangwa #dvld #dnpw #collaboration #conservationinaction #research #southluangwa #zambia #veterinary #vet #vaccinations #dogs #carnivores #bigcats #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #wildlife #conservation #rabiesprevention #health #ecosystem #africa
Although the colour and fur of a Hyena's coat can change with age, their spot pattern remains the same throughout the course of their life. By photographing both sides of all individuals at every sighting, ZCP has developed photographic identification files for Hyena that can be used to estimate population size as well as monitor trends and clan dynamics over time. In a research paper by Msoka et al. (2016), over 25,000 such photos, taken in 4 years of study, estimated 233 individual Hyenas across 5 clans in our intensive study area of 1200 km2 in #liuwanationalpark. These density estimates are not as high as prey rich systems like the Serengeti, but they indicate nonetheless, a healthy and stable population. Read more about Msoka et al.'s paper titled "Spotted Hyaena survival and density in a Lion depleted ecosystem: the effects of prey availability, humans and competition between large carnivores in Africa savannahs," @ www.zambiacarnivores.org. PC: Frans Schepers (ZCP Board Member) #zcp_org #dnpw #africanparks #wnfnederland #wwf #collaboration #liuwa #liuwaplains #hyena #hyaena #conservationinaction #research #zambia #wildlifeconservation #carnivores #wildlife #fieldwork #publications #science
One of the Mukambi pride’s many cubs nuzzles the collared lioness. Through @natgeo Big Cats Initiative support, ZCP provides financial assistance to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and @pantheracats anti-snaring patrols.  These partners utilize the locations from collared lions in the Mukambi pride--and others throughout the #kafuenationalpark --to direct anti-poaching patrols in areas of high snaring risk for lions and their prey. Together we are helping protect the Kafue carnivore stronghold. PC: @b_goodheart #zcp_org #dnpw #natgeo #panthera #collaboration #kafuenationalpark #zambia #carnivores #conservationinaction #research #africa #telonics #wildlifeconservation #antipoaching #snares #lions #bigcats
For those of you living in the Netherlands, make sure to watch this week's episode of "Heroes of the Wilderness" tonight at 21h30 on @npo1. Presenter @deechteartrooijakkers spends time in the field with our very own Liuwa field site manager Daan Smit (@life.on.the.african.plains) and our dedicated ZCP team to learn more about our work. Special thanks to our partners @africanparksnetwork and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) for their continued collaboration and to @reel_nature_africa for the film crew support. #zcp_org #liuwanationalpark #africanparks #dnpw #collaboration #reelnature #wildlifeconservation #carnivores #conservationinaction #research #wildlifedocumentary #zambia #nature #africa
A DNPW officer detects lion spoor on transects. In October 2017, a month-long survey to provide baseline information about large carnivore and herbivore populations was conducted in North Luangwa and Nsumbu Ecosystems by ZCP, Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) and Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) through the support of the Lion Recovery Fund. Results indicate that North Luangwa have healthy prey and predator populations with lion, spotted hyena, leopard and wild dog recorded; whilst Nsumbu, despite a patchy distribution of prey, shows a high recovery potential for lion and other carnivores. PC: Egil Droge #zcp_org #dnpw #fzs #lionrecoveryfund #collaboration #wildlifeconservation #conservationinaction #research #carnivores #spoor #bigcats #endangeredspecies #transects #zambia
The Shishamba Wild Dog pups emerge from the den in the Kafue National Park. With less than 6,500 Wild Dogs remaining in Africa, the survival of every litter is crucial to the future of this iconic endangered species. Unfortunately effects from bushmeat poaching can seriously diminish their chances. By closely monitoring a dog packs movements through satellite radio-tracking collars from #telonics, ZCP can help scout teams from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) focus their anti-poaching patrols to areas around the den to conduct snare sweeps, thereby not only protecting the Wild Dogs but, equally important, their prey base. PC: @b_goodheart #zcp_org #dnpw #zambia #collaboration #conservationinaction #kafuenationalpark #carnivores #wilddogs #endangeredspecies
Come see us at the 2018 Zambian Conservation Careers Fair! #wildcareers #zcp_org #conservationcareersfair2018 #zambia
Happy #WorldLionDay from all of us at ZCP! pc:Egil Droge #lions #lion #lioncub #lionconservation #bigcats #bigcatsofinstagram #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #zambia #wildlife
A successful first day of aerial tracking flights as part of our collaborative large carnivore conservation and monitoring efforts in #KafueNationalPark! All of this would not have been possible without @wildlifecrimeprevention generously supporting the team with their plane. Additionally, a huge thank you to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, @mukambisafaris and @pantheracats for logistical support. . . . #conservation #wildlifeconservation #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #zambia #kafue #wildlifecrimeprevention
We are all excited to announce the Zambian Conservation Careers Fair 2018! Bringing together various potential employer conservation organisations with prominent Zambian training institutions offering environmental and conservation related study programs. This will offer a unique and exciting platform for students and employers to connect. Hope to see you there! @wildlifecrimeprevention @conservationsouthluangwa @conservation_lower_zambezi @wwfzambia #conservation #education #conservationcareers #zambia
In celebration of Kafue National Park's next generation of #lions. The vast expanse of the Greater Kafue Ecosystem is Zambia's largest protected area, and a crucial landscape for lion conservation not only in Zambia but across the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which includes additional ecosystems in Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe . . . . . #lion #lioncubs #lionconservation #kafuenationalpark #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #zambia #conservation #bigcat #wildlife #nature pc: @m_vinx
Perhaps evidence that the lions of #Liuwa can read? Photo by long time research team member, and site manager @life.on.the.african.plains of a male lion resting just outside ZCP's Liuwa field camp in the early hours of the morning. . . . . . . #liuwaplain #lions #lion #bigcats #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #picoftheday #liuwaplainnationalpark
We are thrilled to report that an adult male wild dog from Luangwa Valley's Hot Springs pack is weeks away from turning 12 years old! This is extraordinary, considering the oldest known wild dog was 12 years old. We've put together a graphic of his legacy to the Luangwa wild dog population, highlighting the importance of our collaborative desnaring efforts. While we monitored the pack from the air throughout the rainy season, only recently have we been able to sight them from the ground. The collaborative anti-snaring work by @conservationsouthluangwa, DNPW, and ZCP has helped keep him and many other wild dogs snare-free, and the Luangwa population strong. . . . . Graphic credit: Kristjan Jung #luangwa #southluangwa #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #conservation #wilddog #lycaon #africanwildlife #africanwilddog #conservationsouthluangwa #zambia #wildlife #wildlifeconservation
Our field teams log nearly 3,000 person days a year in the bush and rely heavily on rugged field vehicles like this Land Rover Perentie, donated by our partners @painteddogconservationinc . Help PDC Inc. get another Perentie to our #Kafue Project through their 'PORT TO PORT' Fundraising Appeal...the cost to ship to Africa, and then overland to Zambia, is approximately $1 per km....donations over $2 are tax deductible - so if you wish to jump on board, please click on the 'donate' button on their website! www.painteddogconservation.iinet.net.au or email PDC Inc. at lemonj@ozemail.com.au . . . Please help us make it happen! PC: @natgeo . . . #KafueNationalPark #zambia #conservation #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #painteddogconservationinc #landrover #wild #nationalgeographic
The intense focus of a hunting lion in #KafueNationalPark. The massive expanse of the Greater Kafue Ecosystem is Zambia's second-largest lion population, but the potential exists for substantial increases in big cat numbers with increased resources for conservation. . . . . #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #kafue #zambia #lion #lions #lionconservation #conservation #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #africanwildlife #africa #wild #wildlife #nature #instanature #bigcats #bigcat pc: @m_vinx
A Luangwa Valley wild dog pack on an early morning kill. pc:@edward_selfe_photography #wilddog #wilddogconservation #lycaon #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #zambia #luangwa #luangwavalley #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #wild #nature #picoftheday #africanwildlife #wildlife #zambiancarnivores
Congratulations to Henry Mwape (Front Right) a 2018 Fulbright Scholar to the University of Arizona! Currently an Ecologist and Educational Coordinator at ZCP, Henry first joined the programme as a volunteer between university breaks in 2010, and through a lot of hard work and dedication earned this prestigious graduate school scholarship. Henry now serves as a mentor and inspiration to other aspiring young Zambian conservationists with his research and community work. He will be studying Luangwa lions as his Master’s research with Dr. David Christianson. #keeptheLuangwaFlowing #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #conservation #lion #lions #lionconservation #fulbright #fulbrightscholar #wilddogs #wilddogconservation #wild #ecology #research @uarizona
An adult female cheetah stalks a herd of wildebeest on the short grass plains of Liuwa Plain National Park, Zambia. . . . #cheetah #cheetahconservation #liuwa #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #conservation #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #nature #wildlife #africanplains #wild #zambia #liuwaplain pc:@life.on.the.african.plains
Former Conservation Club student turned ZCP Research Staff in training, Lameck Sakala, works with students on spoor identification at Treetops Educational Facility as part of ZCP's environmental education efforts in Kafue. #kafuenationalpark #zambia #conservation #education #environmentaleducation #zambiacarnivoreprogramme #treetops #kafue #nextgeneration #thefuture