African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are the most endangered large carnivore in southern Africa. Latest IUCN estimates suggest there may be as few as 660 breeding packs remaining in the wild. Wild dogs are a low density, wide ranging species, and protecting them into the future requires conservation at a scale rarely considered in terrestrial conservation. The relatively new concept of Transfrontier Parks and Transfrontier Conservation Areas provides an opportunity for implementing conservation practices at the necessary scale. But are these just paper concepts or are they working on the ground for wide ranging species like African wild dogs?

The African Wildlife Conservation Fund has been working in the Zimbabwean part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area for five years. This talk will demonstrate the importance of this globally significant conservation area and outline some of the challenges with transboundary conservation of a highly mobile carnivore.