THE PAINTED DOG CONSERVATION PROJECT

The Painted Dog, also called the African Wild Dog, was once quite common in Africa, with as many as 500,000 dogs found in the countries of Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.  The various negative effects of human encroachment have taken their toll on these beautiful carnivores, and the current total population is estimated to be a mere 3,ooo dogs. 

The major threats to these rare dogs include snares, shooting and poisoning (for traditional medicine and fear of livestock predation) and road kills. Painted dogs are also under threat from introduced diseases: as human populations grow, contact with domestic dogs increases, and transfer of canine distemper and rabies is a major threat to entire populations. 

With time running out for these unique animals, Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) was formed to take a multifaceted, community-based approach to conserving and protecting remaining Painted Dog populations.  The basic aim of PDC is to increase both the range and the numbers of painted dogs in Zimbabwe.  The project is based in Hwange National Park, in Western Zimbabwe, which contains nearly 20% of the total Painted Dog population.   PDC works with local communities and governments to protect painted dogs and educate people about how valuable the dogs are to the local ecosystem.  PDC has developed several effective strategies to improve the status of the dogs, such as putting color-coded radio collars on them.  While radio tracking allows researchers to gather valuable information on their movements, hunting success and causes of mortality,  the color coding lets local ranchers see that dog numbers are actually much lower than they suspect.  PDC employs a group of 17 men to carry out daily anti-poaching patrols in the area; this group has collected over 8,000 snares since 2001.  The center's Education and Development program has also begun construction on a Community Conservation Education Center that will not only educate visitors about the plight of the painted dog, but also provide much-needed employment opportunities for local villagers. 

The Oakland Zoo's support of PDC is used to purchase essential tracking equipment, radio collars, vital educational materials, veterinary supplies and vaccines.

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