Leopards and Wild Dogs Flourish in Zambian National Park

Kafue National Park in Zambia is experiencing a remarkable conservation success story, with thriving populations of leopards and wild dogs. According to recent data, the park's camera traps have recorded 95 individual leopards as of 2024, making it one of the highest densities of the big cats in Southern Africa.

"We started our camera trapping efforts in 2022 to establish baseline estimates of leopard populations. We are now at a stage where we have enough data to be able to start looking into what variables are creating such an environment for leopards to thrive in," said Chisomo M'hango, a nonprofit field ecologist working in the park.

The cameras have also captured evidence of a growing population of African wild dogs, a highly endangered species. Previously, only a single male and female were confirmed to live in Kafue National Park. However, this year, the researchers spotted a new pack of 5 wild dogs, which M'hango described as the largest he has seen in the park.

"It's just a pack of five, but the males in that pack are the biggest wild dogs I've seen in Kafue," M'hango said. "So, when you see their numbers multiplying like that, it's a good story."

This remarkable turnaround is a testament to the power of conservation efforts and the use of advanced monitoring tools like trail cameras. By closely tracking the populations of these endangered species, experts can better understand the factors that contribute to their recovery and ensure the long-term health of the ecosystem.