African Wild Dogs Return to Matusadona National Park After Decades of Local Extinction
Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe, 24 April 2026 – The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and African Parks have confirmed the translocation of 20 African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) to Matusadona National Park, marking the return of this endangered species after decades of local extinction.
The translocation, conducted between 15 and 17 February 2026, represents an important milestone in the ecological restoration of Matusadona National Park and reinforces its role as a cornerstone of conservation within Zimbabwe’s Sebungwe landscape. The return of wild dogs is the result of sustained investment since 2020 across community development, law enforcement, biodiversity research and monitoring, and critical park infrastructure.
Two established packs, comprising 20 individuals in total—one pack of six and a second of 14— were kept in specialised holding facilities within the park for several weeks. This soft‑release approach allows the wild dogs to acclimatise to their new environment, re‑establish social bonds and begin forming territorial attachments around the Tashinga area before being released into the wider landscape.
The translocation was made possible through generous philanthropic support from an anonymous donor family, air transportation provided by Mack Air, specialist expertise from the Endangered Wildlife Trust, veterinary support from African Wildlife Conservation and Management, and the donation of animals by Nuanetsi Ranch.
African wild dogs are among Africa’s most endangered large carnivores, with fewer than 7,000 individuals remaining in the wild and the species listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, disease and human–wildlife conflict continue to threaten their survival. Their reintroduction to Matusadona National Park represents a critical ecological intervention, restoring an apex predator that plays a vital role in regulating prey populations and maintaining healthy ecosystems. The establishment of a viable population also strengthens regional conservation efforts and may, in time, support wider recovery initiatives across the Sebungwe region, which holds significant wildlife and tourism potential. As one of Africa’s most sought‑after wildlife sightings, wild dogs also offer long‑term economic opportunities linked to conservation‑based tourism that can benefit surrounding communities.
The return of African wild dogs marks the culmination of five years of intensive conservation work following the formalisation of the partnership between African Parks and ZimParks in 2020. Over this period, comprehensive anti‑poaching systems have been established, alongside professional ranger training and intelligence‑led operations. Biodiversity recovery efforts have included the translocation of zebra, buffalo, sable and eland, supported by extensive ecological monitoring. In parallel, community development initiatives, local employment opportunities, livelihoods programmes and human–wildlife conflict mitigation have been strengthened. We gratefully acknowledge the European Union, Stichting Natura Africae, and the Wyss Foundation, whose long-term support for Matusadona has been instrumental in creating a safe, well-managed protected area for these animals to survive.
In the months ahead, the Matusadona team will continue to monitor the wild dog packs closely, tracking their movements, social dynamics, and adaptation to their new environment. The data collected will inform adaptive management and contribute to broader wild dog conservation knowledge across Africa. The species’ return reinforces Matusadona National Park’s position as a key conservation anchor in Zimbabwe, where restored ecosystems support wildlife and people alike, ensuring the country’s natural heritage endures for future generations.
Michael Pelham, Park Manager of Matusadona National Park, said: “To witness wild dogs returning to Matusadona after all these years is profoundly moving. Today, we welcome them home. Their presence restores the natural balance between predator and prey that makes ecosystems resilient and functional. This milestone, together with the ungulate translocations undertaken in 2025, demonstrates what is possible when communities, government and conservation partners work together.”
Daniel Sithole, Country Manager for African Parks Zimbabwe, said: “Successful reintroductions do not happen by chance,” “They are the result of long‑term investment in people, partnerships and systems. The return of wild dogs, and the planned reintroduction of black rhino in 2026, are only possible because of the foundation we have built together with ZimParks and local communities over the past five years.”
Media assets, including images, are available here.
ENDS
Note to editors:
African Parks and Matusadona National Park emphasise that wild dogs pose no threat to human safety. There are no recorded cases of wild dogs attacking people, and the species is known to avoid human activity. To support coexistence, all adult wild dogs have been fitted with GPS tracking collars, enabling continuous monitoring of pack movements and proactive intervention should the animals approach community settlement areas.
This monitoring capacity is supported by a significantly expanded human–wildlife conflict response network. Twelve Nyaminyami Rural District Council rangers have been seconded into the park’s operational structure, strengthening patrol coverage across wildlife corridors and enabling rapid response. At community level, eight Human–Wildlife Conflict Ward Monitors have been deployed across key conflict hotspots in neighbouring chiefdoms. Equipped with motorcycles and communications equipment, these monitors serve as a vital early‑warning link between communities and park management, allowing incidents to be reported and addressed in real time.
Complementing this on‑the‑ground presence, GPS‑based geofence early‑warning systems have been established around settlement areas. When collared wildlife, including the newly introduced wild dogs, approach these boundaries, automated alerts are triggered, allowing the monitoring team to act before animals enter inhabited areas. These measures are reinforced by ongoing community engagement and outreach programmes focused on wild dog behaviour and ecology, helping to ensure peaceful coexistence as the species re‑establishes itself in the landscape. The foundation of trust and collaboration built between communities and the park since 2020 has been essential to creating the conditions for successful wildlife restoration.
About Matusadona Conservation Trust
The Matusadona Conservation Trust (MCT) was established in 2020 through a public-private partnership between African Parks and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) to co-manage Matusadona National Park and adjacent Lake Kariba waters. MCT's vision is to restore Matusadona as a thriving wilderness area that supports viable wildlife populations, provides sustainable benefits to local communities, and serves as an anchor for conservation across the Sebungwe landscape. Through integrated programs focused on law enforcement, biodiversity conservation, community development, and infrastructure enhancement, MCT has transformed Matusadona to a model of collaborative conservation. The partnership leverages ZimParks' governmental authority and local expertise with African Parks' international conservation management experience and fundraising capacity.
About Matusadona National Park
Matusadona National Park encompasses 1,470 km² of pristine wilderness along the southern shores of Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe. The park's diverse habitats - from the iconic drowned forest and open floodplains to the dramatic Zambezi Escarpment - support an array of wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and over 240 bird species.
About African Wild Dogs
African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are highly social carnivores known for their distinctive mottled coats, large rounded ears, and exceptional hunting cooperation. Listed as Endangered, with approximately 6,600 individuals remaining in the wild, they are one of Africa's most threatened large carnivores. Wild dogs live in packs of 6-20 individuals, hunt cooperatively, and have one of the highest hunting success rates of any African predator.
MEDIA CONTACT
Joanna Craig, Matusadona Conservation Trust
Email: joannac @africanparks.org