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Wild dog now protected in Namibia

Xinhua, February 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

Namibia has amended the law to include wild dogs as one of the protected animals.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta signed the amended Schedule 3 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975 Tuesday.

The World Conservation Union listed the wild dog as a protected species in 1977.

Known scientifically as the Lycaon pictus, wild dogs are, according to the Namibia Nature Foundation, one of the most endangered mammal.

Over the years, the Namibia Nature Foundation, said the wild dog population in Namibia has fallen to about 600, while in the sub-Saharan region the population is about 5,000.

Today, wild dogs are found in about 14 countries out of 39 that used to have wild dogs 30 years ago.

In welcoming the amendment, the Namibia Nature Foundation said the listing came after a very long process.

"This changes the legal status of this animal as it was not protected at all up to date. This is great news for a previously maligned species and for conservation in Namibia," the foundation said.

Although this will bring new challenges for their management, the foundation further said, they are ready to work with all stakeholders, particularly farmers, to find proactive solutions for the good of the species. Endit