November, we are happy to say, was another month that went to the dogs. As well as our usual shenanigans, Painteddog TV was fortunate enough to assist with the Remembering African Wild Dogs book launch.
Conservation Corner
Remembering Wildlife is a charity book series which includes Remembering Elephants, Remembering Rhinos, Remembering Great Apes, Remembering Lions, Remembering Cheetahs and now in 2021, Remembering African Wild Dogs. RW’s mission is to create the most beautiful books on a species ever made and then, sell those books to raise awareness of the plight facing that species and funds to protect it. This is made possible by the generous donation of images by many of the world’s best wildlife photographers including Steve Winter, Art Wolfe, Frans Lanting, Brent Stirton, Tim Laman and Jonathan & Angela Scott.
The launch of Remembering African Wild Dogs (RAWD) happened on 11 November and consisted of two overlapping events – and “in-person” event hosted by the Royal Geographic Society in the UK, and a virtual launch for supporters who could not make it to the event in person. We, of course, oversaw the latter, which kicked off proceedings.
From a fire-side chat on Pridelands Conservancy in the Greater Kruger National Park, Brent Leo-Smith, our CEO, hosted a few of the South African based photographers who featured in RAWD, namely Daryl Balfour, Chad Cocking, Lance van der Vyver and Tristan Dicks. Each got to discuss their images and answered questions posed by the viewers watching and interacting from all over the world.
After about an hour it was time to cross-over to the Royal Geographic Society in the UK, where Margot Raggett, the brains and brawn behind the RW, was the host. Margot took the audience through her journey as a photographer now raising funds for conservation, and how time spent on the ground in Africa with those on the front lines of conservation helped enlighten her to the complexity of the challenges the wild animals and people living near them face. We at Painteddog TV salute Margot for her desire to dig deeper to better understand the situation on the ground, so that the funds raised can be used as effectively as possible.
Following on from Margot’s introduction was a presentation by Cole du Plessis, who is the coordinator of the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Wild Dog Range Expansion Programme – one of the beneficiaries to receive proceeds from the RAWD book sales. Before diving into the hard facts and figures about his work, Cole took the audience through his personal experiences with getting to know the beautiful, complex, and misunderstood African Wild Dog – a journey of discovery, affection, and heartbreak, which afforded him unexpected insights, appreciation, and a connection with this endangered carnivore which very few will ever have the privilege of experiencing.
Sadly, Wild Dogs are now extinct in 25 of the 39 African countries in which they once lived. As a result, some 20 years ago, a number of South Africa’s leading conservationists came together and looked at what proactive measures can be taken to help this species. What they decided to do is to use a number of protected areas within South Africa to form new Wild Dog packs from existing packs. The goals of this initiative, which was to become the Wild Dog Range Expansion Programme, and the scientific methods applied thereto were four-fold: increase safe space, increase pack numbers, increase pack numbers, and increase genetic diversity.
Although there is still lots of work to be done, the Range Expansion Programme has been a great success so far, so much so that it has allowed Wild Dogs to be relocated from South Africa to other countries and the local areas within where they had been declared extinct. Cole, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, and all those involved, past and present, deserve the highest praise for what they have achieved, and there is no doubt that the financial contribution to be made by RAWD to furthering the efforts of the Programme is greatly appreciated.
After Cole’s enlightening and inspiring presentation, there was another fire-side chat between Brent, Cole, the South African photographers, and the viewers, this before Margot called onto stage Nicholas Dyer, one of the contributing photographers who is also an excellent storyteller and had the audience laughing the whole way through.
Finally, Margot was joined on stage by a number of the photographers, where she and they received a well-deserved standing ovation. Our hats go off to you Margot and thank you once again for allowing Painteddog TV to play a small role in this great effort of yours.
Animal World LIVE & Bush Cams Chat
After enjoying the stunning clips caught on Live Bush Cams, as well as the gorgeous photos sent to us via the Painteddog TV app, AWL on 21 November kept with the theme of Wild Dogs. Brent shared with the audience some highlights from the launch of Remembering Wild Dogs, as well as video we made for the event around the book and Margot’s recent visit to South Africa and the Painteddog headquarters.
On 4 November, Khaya Tlou, the birthday boy for the month, delved deep into the goings on captured on Live Bush Cams, including a massive pride of around 20 lions drinking at one of the water holes, and elephants visiting the Pridelands hyena den.
News from the den
For the last bit of November, the Painteddog TV crew were given a well-deserved two week break ahead of what will be a busy and fun filled festive season, which we will be working right through to bring you all the best virtual safaris and shows from the African bush.
One of the newest members of the Pack, but someone who now feels like an old friend to some of you already, thanks to his energetic and warm manner, Khaya Tlou turned a tender thirty-two years young on 29 November. Happy Birthday, Khaya!
For the last bit of November, the Painteddog TV crew were given a well-deserved two week break ahead of what will be a busy and fun filled festive season, which we will be working right through to bring you all the best virtual safaris and shows from the African bush.
One of the newest members of the Pack, but someone who now feels like an old friend to some of you already, thanks to his energetic and warm manner, Khaya Tlou turned a tender thirty-two years young on 29 November. Happy Birthday, Khaya!
What to Look Forward to in December
We have decided to try and make everyone’s festive season extra special this year and will be running a lot more and different virtual safaris than usual over the period, and at a reduced rate of US$ 10 per household for the YouTube safaris and US$ 20 for the Zoom safaris. Keep an eye on the app and your inbox for dates and details. If you do not have the app yet, download it here.
Thank you to our Pack Members and our sponsors – LedLenser SA, Rogue Outdoor Gear – as well as Pridelands Conservancy and Kwenga Lodge, where you will find our ‘dog den’. And of course, to all our supporters for running with the pack.
Be sure to keep an eye on the Painteddog.tv app, as well as Painteddog.tv on YouTube, Instagram on @painteddogtv, and Facebook. Until next month, goodbye.
A special thanks to
Victoria Craddock
A safari guide, writer and friend of the pack.
With a passion for wildlife, conservation and the written word, Victoria is the perfect person to have composing our monthly newsletter.
Follow her journey on Instagram @vicvic_craddock2.0 and TikTok @vicvic_craddock2.0