News

This week the Namaqualand Communal Farmers Anatolian Dog Livestock Guarding Project gets off to a tail-wagging start as the first group of dogs is handed over to their new owners. The project is run with the support of SANParks after a successful pilot project.

This project aims to make communal farmers in the area around Namaqua National Park aware of an alternative way of farming in areas populated with predators. In the past, many farmers reacted to the presence of predators by killing them. This project shows that the hunting and killing any of the predators ( especially caracal and jackal )is not necessary for successful livestock farming. The project has the added benefit of helping to minimize stock loss at the same time.

The dogs used in the project are specifically bred to protect flocks of stock against predators as well as other forms of danger. The dog will not leave the flock unattended and will chase predators away. The dogs see themselves as members of the flock and will have been born and raised amongst stock in a kraal.

By establishing a successful group of dog owners, those involved in the project hope to expand and include other communal farmers in this project. Many communal farmers are unaware that there are resources and programmes such as this one that will assist their struggles to make a living off the land while protecting biodiversity and the environment.

Projects such as this give these farmers the all important insight into the role and function predators play in the environment, which helps them to see the bigger environmental picture.

The project receives funding from the Development Bank of Southern Africa. SANParks’ role is to report on the project, manage the costs incurred by the dogs, dog food and veterinary bills, and to distribute dogs, food and information amongst new owners. SANParks’ also conduct regular monitoring visits in conjunction with Kameelkrans Communal Farmers Association This association helps to identify new owners, monitor owners and dogs and give practical training to new owners. When necessary, they also assist in disciplining owners.

There is a definite interest in this project from the community, due to the existing success of the previous, pilot project.