BBC Dynasties: Painted Wolves features Mana Pools World Heritage, Zimbabwe

BBC Dynasties: Painted Wolves of Mana Pools World Heritage, Zimbabwe

Dynasties, a new series from BBC Earth narrated by Sir David Attenborough, follows five of the world’s most iconic and endangered species, including the Painted Wolves of Mana Pools which demonstrates the intricate social dynamics of painted wolves and how alpha females play a critical role in the pack’s survival.

Global Conservation is supporting Global Park Defense in Mana Pools World Heritage Park in Zimbabwe to stop illegal elephant and wildlife poaching in the Zambezi Valley working with our partners – Bushlife Conservancy and Zambezi Elephant Trust.

Bushlife Conservancy provided critical logistical and technical leadership for BBC filming over 660 film days to produce this incredible documentary on Painted Wolves of Zimbabwe.

Amazing footage day and night, for the first time, shows the life and death struggle for survival of Painted Wolves in the Zambezi Valley and the complex web of inter-dependency between endangered species in Mana Pools.With just 6,600 wild dogs left in the wild, it is crucial that we make an effort to protect these animals from further attacks.  From den site monitoring to aerial surveys to community engagement and innovative research, Bushlife is helping to ensure the future of this incredible species. 

Global Conservation began funding Global Park Defense systems at Mana Pools in 2017 including thermal scopes, satellite communications, patrol support, training and vehicles. As well, we are funding frozen meat rations for rangers and their families to replace the hunting which occurred due to poor wages from the broken Zimbabwe Government.

In previous years, rangers were often not paid at all, forcing them to hunt in the national park to survive, while also being paid cash by wildlife poachers to allow hunting of elephants for their ivory, including large tuskers.

Global Conservation is also funding Zambezi Society prosecution and law enforcement work, and the Akashinga Rangers, a women only team working nearby to Mana Pools.

A behind the scenes look at Painted Wolf Collaring for the BBC One Dynasties Series.