Update on Wild dogs by Jaquie Symons

The next booster vaccinations of rabies and distemper for the wild dogs is due shortly. To make the procedure less stressful on the dogs, Erik (our Reserve veterinarian) asked for a temporary boma to be built. Within two mornings, myself and seven Reserve men built a small boma. Now, the tricky part is to get the wild dogs inside! As we finished I left the gates open, hoping that the dogs would be curious and sniff around inside when it was quiet. Not ten minutes after leaving the electrified enclosure were the dogs inside and cautiously wandering around in this new and previously forbidden area (the gate has always been shut to await for the arrival of the new bonding dogs). This was good news, I was worried because many of the dogs had already been zapped by this part of the fence and thought that they would not want to venture inside so quickly! Once we know when Erik and the film crew will arrive, a few days before vaccinating, the wild dogs will be gradually fed closer to the temporary boma until feeding is inside this area. A rope will be attached to the gate and from the outside it can be closed without any stress on the dogs - or people! Now, let’s wait and see if it all goes according to plan.