Wildlife Conservation Zimbabwe Project #25601

Protecting Painted Dogs

by David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Summary

Painted dogs are one of Africa's most endangered yet least understood animals. Hugely vulnerable to human encroachment and agricultural expansion, painted dog habitats have rapidly reduced, pushing them into even greater conflict with humans. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation helps to protect painted dogs by funding immersive educational bush camps, alongside anti-poaching and ranger protection teams, working on the front line of species protection and community engagement.

$50,795
total goal

$24,024
remaining

114
donors

2
monthly donors

3
fundraisers

8
years

Challenge

Due to growing human populations, there is increasing human-wildlife conflict over natural resources, where painted dogs are killed. Infectious, invasive, non-native and viral diseases, often transmitted by domesticated animals, can also pose a huge threat to painted dog packs, which can be wiped out in a single disease outbreak. Also snares, laid for illegal bushmeat poaching, often trap, injure and brutally kill painted dogs, who remain unable to escape these silent killers.

Solution

DSWF fights to protect painted dog populations by funding law enforcement programmes removing thousands of snares from the bush. Through community initiatives, DSWF support helps fosters positive associations between the local communities and painted dogs to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. DSWF also funds inspiring educational camps to encourage respect and co-existence for the painted dog. These educational programmes help children to understand the vital role that painted dogs play in nature

Long-Term Impact

Our support ensures that hundreds of children can attend innovative education classes that help build a lifelong appreciation of the importance of conservation and the painted dog, ensuring a lasting legacy for the country's wildlife and its children. By funding law enforcement initiatives, we help to protect painted dogs in their natural habitat and keep them safe from poaching. Through working alongside communities and offering sustainable livelihood programmes we can reduce harmful snaring.