IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Croes, M.; Rasmussen, G.; De longh, H.H. | |
| Status of painted dog _Lycaon pictus_ in the B‚nou‚ Ecosystem, North Cameroon | |
| 2010 Full Book | |
Over the past three years intensive surveys have been conducted in the B‚nou‚ Complex, north Cameroon to identify the status of the Painted Dog Lycaon pictus. Data also revealed valuable information on the status of other large carnivores, such as the endangered cheetah, leopard, spotted hyena and lion. Survey techniques included opportunistic interviews, camera trapping and spoor counts. Through training and capacity building the current project achieved an active, participative attitude from local stakeholders such as park staff, hunting zone managers and local communities. Developed field capacities and provided materials allow for the continuation of surveys as part of future monitoring of large carnivores in the region. Most species of larger carnivores are present in low densities throughout the complex, except for Painted dog and cheetah. The latter two species may thus be considered as functionally extirpated from this region. This status may largely reflect the situation of these two threatened species in the entire region of West- and Central Africa, although future survey efforts throughout their former distributional range are urgently required. Main reasons for the current population crash of both Painted dog and cheetah are habitat destruction, poaching by local communities, loss of prey and with reference to Painted dog targeted and illegal killing by managers of hunting zones. Consequently only if wildlife conservation strategies are drastically improved, Painted dog populations may recover into the coming decades. The species is resilient and will profit from improved management regimes and habitat quality. The research understandings acquired during the current project will lead to the development of conservation tools with a focus capacity and tools to identify presence of Painted dog, as well as a conservation strategy comprising research, direct awareness of dogs, conservation education, integrated community involvement and legislation to curb illegal hunting in the hunting areas adjacent to the reserves. These activities will continue under the Umbrella of the Large Carnivore Initiative for West and Central Africa (LCI) which has recently been founded by a number of organizations |
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