$60 will send a local child to PDC’s Bush Camp for four days.
$1,200 will feed the dogs in PDC’s rehabilitation facility for one year.
African wild dogs used to range across Africa.
There were once 500,000 dogs in 39 countries, but now only 7,000 dogs are thought to remain, with about 700 left in Zimbabwe where Painted Dog Conservation operates.
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Zimbabwe is one of the last strongholds for painted dogs.
African wild dogs are incredibly social creatures. Also known as painted dogs, they live in carefully organized packs in which each dog has a specified job, from hunter to pup babysitter. The dogs rely on each other and are one of the only wild species to care for their sick and old.
African wild dogs used to range across Africa, with 500,000 dogs in 39 countries. Impacted by poaching, road kills, and mining and logging that destroy habitat, now only 7,000 dogs are thought to remain. Zimbabwe, where Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) is headquartered, is one of the last strongholds.
Socio economic challenges in Zimbabwe and poor land management practices create a situation for illegal hunting practices (poaching) to flourish. Poachers set wire snares to catch antelope for the bushmeat trade, and painted dogs are accidentally killed in these deadly traps. So, In addition to working on direct threats like snaring, Painted Dog Conservation works closely with local people to provide income from other sources and to develop in local people an appreciation for the dogs and the value of conservation.
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The sole purpose of our existence is to create an environment where the dogs can thrive.Peter Blinston
Peter Blinston, Managing Director
Peter Blinston fell in love with African wild dogs while watching documentaries in his native England. He volunteered for Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) from home in England for two years and then initially moved to Zimbabwe as an unpaid six-month volunteer. He has now been there for twelve years and serves as Managing Director. Peter has helped translate the initial vision for PDC into effective programs.
A Unique Conservation Approach
Anti-Poaching
Anti-Poaching
PDC’s anti-poaching units remove illegal snares that are set for bushmeat but end up killing painted dogs. The anti-poaching units also provide jobs to local people–PDC is the largest employer in its immediate area, with more than 60 people earning an income through PDC’s work.
Monitoring & Rehabilitation
Monitoring & Rehabilitation
Monitoring radio-collared dogs allows PDC to identify problems the dogs face and to develop methods that keep packs and individual dogs healthy. For example, when PDC locate packs in known areas of poaching they immediately deploy the anti poaching units (APU) into those areas to clear any snares. PDC also cares for injured or orphaned dogs it finds at its rehabilitation center.
Outreach & Education
Outreach & Education
Bush Camp, an environmental education program for local sixth-graders, instills a love of nature and painted dogs. More than 9,000 children have attended Bush Camp. PDC also helps community members increase their incomes by training them how to farm sustainably and make sellable art from collected snare wire.
Impact by the Numbers
700
painted dogs in Zimbabwe, an increase of 300 since PDC began its work
3,287
snares removed in 2018
13,250
miles patrolled on foot in 2018
PDC protects painted dogs from threats like poaching snares.
"Zimbabwe is one of the few countries where painted dogs still have a fighting chance to survive" says Peter Blinston of Painted Dog Conservation (PDC). Watch this video and learn more about PDC's incredible work to save this endangered wild dog, protecting them from threats like poaching snares.
Peter Blinston and David Kuvawoga Talk at Expo
Peter and his team at Painted Dog Conservation are working to remove poaching snares, the biggest threat to painted dogs, from the forests that border Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Hear about his work protecting this unique and highly social wild dog.
News & Stories
Moving Painted Dogs to Safety
The painted dog pup—only two weeks old—rests in Peter Blinston’s gloved hands. Its mottled black and white fur is covered... Learn More
Launching a Kickstarter Campaign to save Painted Wolves
The painted wolf, also known as African wild dog and painted dog, is one of Africa’s most persecuted predators; it... Learn More
Saluting Rangers Worldwide on World Ranger Day
Rangers, forest guards, warriors, scouts, field enforcement officers—the titles they serve under are many, but these brave women and men... Learn More
A Conservation Trailblazer
The signs are subtle, but Belinda Ncube knows what to look for. A branch that’s been intentionally broken, a shoeprint... Learn More
On the Cusp of a Brighter Future for Painted Dogs
Six days of relentless searching in scorching temperatures. Six days of false alarms and close calls. That’s how the team... Learn More
A Silver Lining
We recently received a report that painted dogs had killed a goat in a nearby village. This was not the... Learn More
How to Rescue a Snared Painted Dog
Poachers continue to plague the African wild dogs of Zimbabwe. The country suffers from severe inflation, so in an effort... Learn More
Finding Answers for Painted Dog Conservation with Genetics
Conservation takes many approaches. On one hand, there’s the on-the-ground work in the field to protect wildlife from poachers, snares,... Learn More
Local Community Protects “Their” Painted Dogs
On the main highway that runs between Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, painted dogs are all too often run over... Learn More
Tracking the Painted Dog
As Director of Technology for WCN, one of my responsibilities is to help our Partners use technology effectively to help... Learn More
Visiting the Painted Dog Conservation Project in Zimbabwe
This post was written by Ewaso Lions team members Jeneria, who recently visited Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) in Zimbabwe. Ewaso Lions... Learn More
World Environment Day 2018
Today—on World Environment Day—we'd like to highlight some of the actions our Conservation Partners are taking to help create a... Learn More
Photography Credits: Will Burrard, Steve Mandel