Conservation
Conservation
The location of Limpokwena acts as a gateway between the wilderness of Thuli Game Reserve in Botswana and South Africa.
Due to this very unique location, there is a wide array of species that move through the property which makes our location truly wild.
Due to the very deep link between the owner of the property, Markus Jebsen who acquired the property in 2013 and his conservation roots with various projects worldwide which include numerous nature reserves and rewilding projects here in Southern Africa as well as in Romania, Australia, Denmark and the USA, the journey began to rewild Limpokwena from its varied past.
One of the first projects that was undertaken was to relocate the obtrusive government fencing which ran across the property and formed a barrier for species which historically were able to move through the land. Limpokwena reinforced the boundary fence and opened the property up to Botswana with the Limpopo River acting as the boundary between countries. This enabled the animals to move through the reserve freely for the first time in many years and one step nearer to the ambition of larger unfenced areas for animals to move through, including the elephants who over the previous years had not had access to the reserve.
Wild Dogs
There was also an increase in predator numbers such as wild dogs, who were now freely able to move through the property with a large pack of 22 individuals sighted first, and then followed by smaller free-roaming packs throughout the last few years.
These free-roaming wild dog packs are very important genetically to the endangered wild dog populations with South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
They provide a fresh gene pool to the known populations of wild dogs.
There are only between 3000-5000 wild dogs left in Africa and are extinct in 23 countries out of 39 countries.
After a pack of 11 dogs were sighted often within Limpokwena over the period of a few months,
The Endangered Wildlife Trust made the decision to collar one of the dogs for future monitoring and research.
The pack has moved a massive distance between Limpokwena, Botswana, Musina, Pont Drift and many other predator friendly farms along the way, and have successfully denned twice in the surrounding areas.
Wild dogs are very successful hunters, with a success rate of over 60% of their hunts ending in a kill. Compared to the success rate of a lion which is between 16-19%.
Their success rate puts them at great risk to farmers or game ranches where a large pack can kill up to two animals per day. Having open spaces and supportive landowners is crucial in their survival rate.
Collaring and ongoing monitoring of these predators offers so much insight and protection to these dogs as they move freely across their natural wild habitats. Limpokwena offers on the ground support with monitoring and community liaison as well as a safe environment for the dogs to rest, den and feed before they move on.
The collars are funded through generous donations made between Limpokwena and supportive neighbouring properties in order to secure the dogs future. Through funds raised, there are currently 2 sponsored collars fitted, which makes monitoring them more effective.
It’s always a pleasure having the dogs with us, and they ensure our game drives are exciting without ever really knowing what is around the corner.
