Protecting Painted Dogs

As we move into the spring of 2025, we are proud to share the ongoing success of our painted dog conservation efforts, made possible through your continued support. These majestic animals face significant challenges from poaching and habitat loss, but your generosity helps ensure their protection and survival.

This year, our support remains focused on strengthening anti-poaching efforts and engaging local communities. We are committed to funding a total of 1,000 patrols across key wildlife areas in Zimbabwe, particularly the buffer zones surrounding Hwange National Park, where painted dogs are vulnerable to poaching activities. Our partners will conduct patrols both through their own Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) and the Mabale Community Anti-Poaching Units (MCAPU). These patrols are essential in detecting signs of poaching including snares, as well as identifying potential human-wildlife conflict hotspots. Together, these patrols will cover an area of 6,000km², removing snares that pose a serious threat to painted dogs and other wildlife.

Equally important to conservation efforts is education. This year, 800 children from 21 schools will participate in the Bush Camp Programme, an immersive four-day experience that introduces young people to the importance of wildlife conservation. The programme offers students hands-on activities and group discussions, allowing them to discover the diverse species of the region, learn about ecological relationships, and understand the devastating impacts of extinction. In addition to the Bush Camp, our partners run Conservation Clubs and quizzes, further embedding environmental awareness into the local community.

Your support makes all of this possible. Through education and rigorous anti-poaching efforts, we are helping to secure a future for painted dogs and the wider wildlife population in Zimbabwe. Together, we are making a tangible difference for this endangered species, and for the communities that live alongside them. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our vital cause.