Our Projects: Rescuing the painted dog
Location:
ZIMBABWE in and around HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
DSWF supported since: 1995
DSWF supported since: 1995
Project Summary:
DSWF supports this exceptional project working to save the African Painted Dog and other wildlife in the region, benefit the local people and raise awareness for wildlife and the environment in Zimbabwe.
"Public perception is a driving force of extinction. Painted Dog Conservation therefore combines direct action strategies with education and awareness programmes, creating an environment whereby the dogs can move in status from 'perceived pest' to 'best loved animal'."
Dr. Gregory Rasmussen Director, Painted Dog Conservation
Latest project news - read the pdf
(bottom left)
Fewer than 3-5,000 African painted dogs (commonly known as wild dogs) survive in viable populations in just four countries, making this species Africa's most endangered carnivore. Since the Painted Dog Conservation ( PDC
) project began dog numbers rose from 400 to approximately 750 in Zimbabwe today, which has not occurred elsewhere in Africa. DSWF
funds the work of the Painted Dog Conservation Project's monitoring and anti-poaching work which is now made up of 28 men in three teams who have successfully gathered over 12,000 snares in the last few years. Grants also support the project headquarters, located near the main gate of Hwange
National Park, and its vital education project to encourage tolerance for the dogs from local communities and ranchers.
With the current crisis in the country, more and more resources are needed for anti-snare operations and the project has now become one of the largest employers in the Hwange area. Today, over 1000 local children each year visit the project's bush camps where they learn about the value of nature and the environment. The project now also works with over 30 artisans, encouraging local artists to make wire sculptures from the snares confiscated from the bush by the project's anti-poaching teams, turning them into works of great beauty, thereby providing incomes for their families and communities.
As a major funder of the project, grants are allocated for anti-poaching operations, monitoring and tracking known packs of dogs, relocation of problem animals, local awareness and education campaigns and community work to directly benefit the rural people.
In 2009, a number of injured and vulnerable dogs have been brought to the project's rehabilitation centre
to be cared for in preparation for release back into the wild. Five pups - orphaned when lions attacked their pack - were adopted by two remarkable dogs at the centre
and will be released as a pack. Collared and monitored, the released dogs provide vital data for the future conservation of their species.
"We will never give up; no matter how tough it gets and we sincerely hope that all the DSWF
supporters who make our work possible continue their wonderful support." Peter Blinston
, Project Manager
