Painted dogs are one of the world’s most endangered mammals, with as few as 6,000 left in the wild. Once widespread across much of the African continent, their range has been reduced to a few, small, final strongholds in southern and eastern Africa. These carnivores play an important role in providing balance in the ecosystem and fortifying prey populations. As painted dog numbers continue to rapidly decline, the delicately balanced ecosystems they inhabit are thrown into disarray.
Painted dogs often fall victim to human-wildlife conflict. Often blamed for livestock attacks by hyenas, leopards, and other predators, many are poisoned or shot by farmers, looking to protect their livelihoods.
Habitat loss is one of the biggest factors affecting painted dogs. And, with only pockets of their former population surviving, painted dogs also become highly vulnerable to diseases like rabies and distemper.
When you adopt a painted dog through DSWF, you equip the rangers we support and fund with everything they need to patrol these protected areas, rescue snared animals, and act as a deterrent to poachers and hunters.
Just £3 per month (or £36 one-off) could provide vital equipment for those working on the frontline to prevent wildlife crime
Only £5 per month (or £50 one-off) could educate future generations on why a connection to nature is vital, and inspire the conservation leaders of tomorrow
With £10 per month (or £60 one-off) will enable patrols to remove more snares that kill and injure critically endangered painted dogs
You’ll get a personalised certificate, species fact sheet, animal bio sheet, and a photograph. In addition we will send you bi-annual updates on our conservation work with your chosen species.
DSWF’s magazine, bringing you conservation news and updates on our work to fight wildlife crime and protect endangered species.
A beautiful depiction of a painted dog by wildlife artist Matthew Polluk.
Physical adoption packs are only available within the UK (Digital packs are available internationally). Parcels are sent 2nd class untracked with Royal Mail.
Our adoption animal toys are made by the ladies of the Little Ndaba group in Zambia. They are ethically sourced 100% African cotton and are crocheted by over 100 women from remote villages across the country.
Sponsoring a painted dog helps fund projects working with local communities to monitor their movements, reduce poaching, and raise awareness of the threats they face. In addition, your support can help us:
Swift is a young alpha male of the newly formed Velakude Pack alongside alpha female Vicky. Velakude translates as ‘coming from far’ so the pack is aptly named after Swift’s long and treacherous journey across the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.
Latest sightings of Swift and his pack have shown their pack to have grown with the addition of adult members and a hugely exciting new litter of cubs sired by Swift and Vicky.
DSWF is proud to have been supporting this stronghold population of painted dogs for over twenty years, with multiple generations benefiting from our work to protect them.
The Hwange National Park is sadly an area which poses a huge risk to painted dogs due to the abundant use of snares by poachers. Around 4500 snares were removed from the protected area in 2022. By adopting Swift you can help us protect his pack by ensuring we have boots on the ground removing snares and acting as a deterrent to poachers.
You can support our work to save endangered animals from extinction by adopting today.
of the world’s wildlife has been wiped out in the last 50 years.
species of plants, insects, and mammals are at risk of extinction.
