WILD DOGS RETURN TO MATUSADONHA

TWENTY African wild dogs have been successfully reintroduced into Matusadona National Park, marking the return of the endangered species to the area after decades of local extinction.

The translocation, carried out between February 15 and 17, 2026 was led by the Matusadona Conservation Trust (MCT), a partnership between African Parks and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), which co-manages the park.

In a statement, MCT said the development marked a major milestone in ongoing efforts to restore biodiversity in the park and strengthen conservation across the Sebungwe landscape.

Two packs of the endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), comprising six and 14 individuals respectively, were translocated and are currently settling in specialised holding facilities within the park before their release into the wild. Park manager Mr Michael Pelham said the return of the species was a significant moment for conservation efforts in the area.

“To witness wild dogs returning to Matusadona after all these years is profoundly moving,” he said. “Today, we welcome them home. Their presence will restore the natural rhythm of this ecosystem, the balance between predator and prey that makes wild places truly wild.”

The conservation trust said the soft-release approach would allow the animals to adapt to their new environment and establish territory around the Tashinga area before being fully released.

According to conservation authorities, African wild dogs are among Africa’s most endangered large carnivores, with fewer than 7 000 individuals remaining in the wild due to threats such as habitat loss, disease and human-wildlife conflict.

Country manager for African Parks Zimbabwe, Mr Daniel Sithole, said the successful reintroduction was the result of sustained investment in park management and community engagement.

“These translocations don’t happen by accident,” he said. “They are the result of sustained investment in every aspect of park management — from training rangers and building community trust, to conducting research and developing infrastructure.”

Each adult wild dog has been fitted with a GPS tracking collar to allow conservation teams to monitor their movements and prevent potential conflict with nearby communities.

MCT said the project builds on several conservation interventions implemented since 2020, including wildlife translocations, strengthened anti-poaching systems and expanded community development programmes.

The trust said the return of wild dogs reinforces the park’s role as a key conservation stronghold in Zimbabwe and could contribute to future wildlife recovery efforts in the Sebungwe region.

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