How DSWF is protecting Painted Dogs

How David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) protects painted dogs in Zimbabwe:

For over 20 years we’ve been funding immersive educational bush camps, alongside anti-poaching teams working on the front line of species protection and community engagement.

Through positive interaction with rural communities and children in Zimbabwe, built on ongoing support from DSWF, the painted dog remains a symbol of strength, unity and perseverance within the area.

Painted dogs, also known as painted wolves, cape hunting dogs and wild dogs, are one of the most endangered mammals on the planet and DSWF is committed to addressing the threats faced by this iconic species and offering them a sustainable future in the wild.

Adopting a holistic approach to conservation, DSWF Fights, Protects and Engages on behalf of painted dogs and other endangered species.

Protecting painted dogs from snares

DSWF fights to protect painted dog populations by funding law enforcement programmes in Zimbabwe.

Our monitoring and anti-poaching efforts in the Hwange National Park provide a blanket of protection for over 10,500km² of painted dog habitat.

The anti-poaching teams spend thousands of hours every year removing snares from the bush, which would otherwise injure, maim or kill painted dogs. Since 2001, over 30,000 snares have been removed from the bush which could have killed up to 3,000 animals.

DSWF strives to protect painted dog populations by conducting community initiatives in the Hwange National Park and surrounding areas.

These initiatives aim to foster positive associations between the local communities surrounding the park and local populations and help to mitigate human wildlife conflict which has been such a prominent threat to the survival of painted dog populations in the wild.

Engaging with local communities to protect painted dogs

DSWF believes that education and community participation is fundamental in ensuring a sustainable future for both people and wildlife.

Acknowledging the importance of engaging with communities, DSWF funds an inspiring and immersive educational ‘Bush Camp’ programme which reaches more than 600 children every year, to encourage respect and foster a healthy sense of co-existence between people and painted dogs.

These educational programmes help children to understand the vital role that painted dogs play in the ecosystem and inspire an emotional attachment to nature. Children are absolutely vital in the long-term survival of these majestic animals and by educating our future leaders we boost the painted dogs’ chances of survival.

With your donations DSWF will continue to support:

• Wildlife Ranger training and welfare programmes supporting the brave men and women on the front line in Zimbabwe
• Patrols to collect snares which pose illegal, dangerous and life-threatening risks to elephants and other wildlife
• Anti-poaching ranger patrols monitoring illegal activity in dog bearing areas to ensure the safety of painted dog packs
• Monitoring and research programmes to best understand dog pack behaviour and health
• Educational children’s bush camps to encourage and develop environmental awareness
• Community engagement and livelihood schemes to avert retaliatory killing of painted dogs in Zimbabwe
• Painted dog veterinary support to injured, wounded or vulnerable packs in Zimbabwe
• Providing anti-snare collars to protect painted dogs in the wild from illegal wire hunting snares.