Description of the project and research questions being asked

African Painted Dogs are racing toward extinction due to habitat loss, human persecution, disease (especially rabies), accidental by-catch in wire snares, loss of prey and competition with larger carnivores like lions. African Painted Dogs, or African Wild Dogs (Lycaon Pictus) are unique to Africa and they are among this continent's most endangered species. It is estimated that a mere 3,000  - 5,000 remain giving them a Critically Endangered status by the IUCN Redlist rating. The Painted Dog population in Zimbabwe is one of the last strongholds of the species. With their unique and striking coat patterns, their intelligence and their highly interactive and caring nature, Painted Dogs are truly one of the most awe inspiring species alive today.

Projects I will be assisting with aim to understand the major threats to Painted Dogs through management-oriented research, hands-on conservation and community education and outreach. This includes:

• Collaring and monitoring key packs using spoor tracking, radio telemetry, and camera traps
• Rabies vaccination campaigns in domestic dog populations
• Snare removal
• Working in schools and communities to increase awareness and increase education standards and opportunities

In order to create and implement sufficient conservation measures focused on this species, characteristics such as understanding pup survival rates, causes of mortality of adults and pups, movement patterns, potential conflict, genetic diversity, inter-specific competition and the impact of various conservation measures must be discovered.

With many conservation and research projects underway to better understand the Painted Dog the next step to saving them is education. Data and facts are needed and are useful but numbers only go so far when they remain in the scientific and research community. This information needs to be shared and taught in order for it to take full effect and give it the most potential possible.

Discoveries from research will present solutions to the problems inherent within current Painted Dog conservation plans. I will be working closely with the Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) and the African Wildlife Conservation Fund (AWCF) via the Chishakwe Ranch in Zimbabwe. Here I will be able to learn first hand the most updated and current research techniques and aid in the projects being done by the most pristine and knowledgeable researchers in the field today. I will also be creating and implementing a curriculum for middle school aged children on the adaptions and conservation of the Painted Dog. In addition I will also be able to learn and assist in the rehabilitation and release of injured Painted Dogs. It is my hope that with this experience I will be able to help change the direction of this wonderful species from the brink of extinction to a healthy and sustained population.  

Why this matters and should be exciting to backers

Education and community involvement and support are critical to successful long-term conservation. AWCF and PDC work throughout Zimbabwe’s southeast Lowveld to establish long term, sustainable environmental education projects in communities surrounding key wildlife areas. Both AWCF and PDC take several different approaches to education and outreach of communities neighboring wildlife areas.

The project I will be most evolved with aims to establish a bush school to which groups of school children can be taken on field trips and leadership training workshops. Although the target is school-based education projects at primary schools, follow through with the most promising and needy of our primary school children by supporting them through secondary school with funds for fees, uniforms and books is also done.

Mobile education units are effectively travelling libraries, which travel round the villages and base in a community for a week at a time. Here trained educators, like myself, will show wildlife or conservation themed DVDs morning and evening – open for anyone to attend and followed by an informal question and answer session. In this way, we will be able to reach a wide range of people of both sexes and all ages, and let them into some of the secrets of this amazing world we live in. These workshops are held several times a year with the specific aim of advising and assisting farmers in predator-friendly livestock management techniques, in order to reduce conflict with lions and other large carnivores, and increase tolerance.

What your money can do

Your dollars will directly impact the intensity and quality of my studies by allowing me to embark on this amazing journey. Not only will this be an individual’s self discovery and adventure but it will give aid to AWCF, PDC, the neighboring communities and their missions.

Requirements for my MS/PSM degree include participating in two internships. An internship is a unique way of testing your field of interest.  It is a way to experiment and find out whether or not this is something you would like to do professionally.  Of course, it's also a way to gain experience and develop contacts: two things that are critically important as you develop your career.

Extra funds raised through this research will go directly to AWCF and PDC conservation efforts. Please visit their websites to learn more about the work that they do for Painted Dogs and for local communities in Zimbabwe.