Guarding Zimbabwe's Painted Dogs from Snares and Poachers

Painted Dog Conservation (PDC), based near Hwange National Park, protects one of Africa's most endangered carnivores through anti-poaching patrols, snare removal, veterinary rescue and rehabilitation of injured dogs, and community outreach including the Wilton Nsimango Children's Bush Camp and an Iganyana Arts Centre for local artisans. Fewer than 7,000 painted dogs remain across Africa, with roughly 700 historically ranging in Zimbabwe, and PDC's rangers track packs across Hwange and the Zambezi Valley. In 2025 alone, its anti-poaching teams walked over 31,000 km on more than 2,300 patrols, pulling thousands of wire snares from the bush and helping apprehend 15 poachers.