Between 19 and 29 June 2026, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), in partnership with Painted Wolf Foundation and Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ), successfully rescued and treated a snared African wild dog from the Jeki Pack in the Lower Zambezi ecosystem.
The Jeki Pack is currently one of the largest known African wild dog packs in the Lower Zambezi, consisting of 18 individuals. The pack regularly moves between Lower Zambezi National Park and the Chiawa Game Management Area (GMA), often travelling close to community areas while hunting. Although these movements are essential for finding prey and avoiding competition from larger predators, they also expose the dogs to one of the greatest threats facing large carnivores across Africa - wire snares.
On 10 June 2026, the Jeki Pack ventured deeper into the Chiawa GMA, close to surrounding villages. During this time, one of the pack members became caught in a wire snare around its neck. The injury went unnoticed until approximately 16 June, when safari guides spotted the dog carrying the snare and immediately alerted Conservation Lower Zambezi. The report was quickly shared with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, and plans for a veterinary intervention began without delay.
Around the same period, eight females dispersed from the original pack of eighteen—a natural behaviour in African wild dogs as they leave to establish new packs. One of the dispersing females was fitted with a satellite collar, leaving the resident Jeki Pack without a satellite-tracked individual. From that point, monitoring relied on a VHF collar and sighting reports from safari guides, making it considerably more challenging to locate the injured animal.
On 19 June, field teams began searching for the pack using information provided by safari guides. The dogs were eventually located beyond Jeki Airstrip near the old Mondoro area feeding on an impala while several spotted hyenas attempted to steal the carcass. Although the injured wild dog was successfully identified, the team confirmed that the wire snare remained tightly wrapped around its neck.
Unfortunately, the pack's constant movements and operational constraints meant that several follow-up search efforts were unsuccessful. Throughout this period, the team continued to receive updates from safari guides while carrying out daily searches in preparation for the veterinarian's arrival.
On 25 June, the veterinarian joined the field team. Shortly afterwards, safari guides reported that the pack had been sighted on the Second Plain near Out of Africa. When the team arrived, only ten dogs were present, reflecting the recent dispersal of several pack members.
With tourist vehicles still nearby, the team patiently waited until the area was clear before beginning the operation. Once conditions were safe, the veterinarian successfully darted the injured dog. As the anaesthetic took effect, the remaining pack members gradually moved away, allowing the veterinary team to approach safely.
A thorough examination revealed the wire snare tightly encircling the dog's neck, along with several minor abrasions around the pelvic region. Fortunately, the neck injury was superficial and had not penetrated deeply.
The veterinary team carefully removed the snare, cleaned and disinfected the wound, administered antibiotics and supportive medications, and applied topical treatment to reduce the risk of infection. Throughout the procedure, the dog's heart rate, breathing and body temperature were closely monitored to ensure its safety.
Once treatment was complete, the anaesthetic reversal drug was administered, and the team remained with the animal until it fully regained consciousness. Approximately 45 minutes later, the wild dog stood up, initially unsteady but quickly regaining its strength before successfully rejoining the rest of the pack.
A few hours later, the alpha male was fitted with a satellite collar, restoring the team's ability to monitor the pack through real-time satellite locations and improving ongoing conservation management.
Since the intervention, the Jeki Pack has continued to be monitored through routine field observations, satellite and VHF tracking, and regular reports from safari guides operating throughout the Lower Zambezi ecosystem. The pack has since begun denning, with the alpha female heavily pregnant at the time of the rescue, making continued monitoring especially important during this critical breeding period.
This successful rescue highlights the importance of strong collaboration between DNPW, Painted Wolf Foundation, Conservation Lower Zambezi, Safari operators and local stakeholders. Rapid reporting, coordinated field operations and ongoing monitoring continue to play a vital role in protecting one of Africa's most endangered carnivores and ensuring the long-term survival of wild dogs in the Lower Zambezi.
