An entire breeding pack of 20 African wild dogs - 10 adults and 10 puppies has died in a suspected poisoning incident near Xudumela Conservancy, a relatively new conservation and rewilding initiative situated along the Xudum Channel on the southern edge of the Okavango Delta, southwest of Maun. The loss is particularly significant for a conservancy established in 2022 to rehabilitate a landscape previously affected by overgrazing and poaching and restore it as a wildlife refuge. Xudumela Conservancy announced the deaths in a statement on Wednesday, saying reports that members of the pack had been found dead were received on Tuesday morning. Conservation organisation CONNECT was subsequently contacted and joined the Botswana Police Service, Department of Wildlife and National Parks and Botswana Defence Force in responding to the incident. According to Xudumela, four people have since been apprehended and are in police custody in connection with the investigation. The conservancy said it would not comment on the identities of those involved or disclose evidence being gathered because the matter is now an active criminal investigation. Xudumela Conservancy is situated along the Xudum River/Channel on the southern edge of the Okavango Delta, southwest of Maun. The privately managed conservation area lies within the wider seasonal floodplain landscape of the Delta. Established in 2022, Xudumela covers roughly 3,000 hectares and focuses on habitat restoration, biodiversity protection and anti-poaching efforts. According to the conservancy, the area had previously been heavily affected by overgrazing and poaching and is now being rehabilitated as a wildlife refuge. Its conservation model also incorporates low-impact tourism, with safari tents, campsites and wilderness activities along the Xudum Channel. Xudumela says revenue generated through tourism helps support wildlife protection, habitat restoration, conservation education and partnerships with neighbouring landowners and communities. The suspected poisoning therefore represents a significant setback for conservation efforts in an area being deliberately restored as part of the wider Okavango ecosystem. African wild dogs are among Africa's most endangered large carnivores, making the loss of an entire breeding pack, including its puppies, especially significant. "This is an appalling loss," Xudumela said, adding that the deaths were devastating not only for the conservancy but for the wider Okavango ecosystem and those working to protect it. Xudumela thanked the Botswana Defence Force, DWNP, Botswana Police Service and CONNECT for the speed of their response and said it would continue cooperating with authorities as investigations proceed.