After a successful hunt, the Umkhonto Pack takes a moment to cool off in the heat of the season. #painteddogs #AfricanWildDogs #wildlifeConservation #painteddogconservation #hwange Video Credit: Ron van der A.

Term 3 is well underway at the Wilton Nsimango Children’s Bush Camp, with learners continuing to experience conservation education beyond the classroom. This week, we welcomed learners from Ngamo Primary School for a programme of outdoor learning, hands-on conservation activities and experiences designed to strengthen their understanding of wildlife and the importance of protecting the natural environment. Through the Bush Camp programme, learners have the opportunity to connect with nature, build their knowledge and develop an appreciation for the role they can play in conserving Zimbabwe’s wildlife and wild spaces. #painteddogconservation #bushcamp #conservationeducation #environmentaleducation #wildlifeconservation

Young painted dogs exploring Mana Pools as they grow and learn with the pack. Have a good weekend from the Acacia Pack. #painteddogs #AfricanWildDogs #manapools #wildlifeconservation #painteddogconservation

The Umkhonto Pack spent around 20 minutes attempting to bring down two sable at Nkonkoni Pan. The attempt ultimately ended without a kill, but the encounter offers a fascinating glimpse into predator–prey interactions in the wild — and the risks painted dogs can take when confronting much larger prey. #PaintedDogs #AfricanWildDog #Sable #WildlifeBehaviour #Conservation #PaintedDogConservation #UmkhontoPack #SaveThePaintedDog Video Credit: Ron van der A

Join us in San Francisco, California at the Wildlife Conservation Expo! Conservationist and PDC Executive Director, @peterblinston, is meeting up with @wildnetorg’s global community of fellow conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts for the big event on October 10 ✨ Come celebrate wildlife wins with us, take deep dives into conservation stories, and share what it really takes to protect an endangered species. Get your tickets at our link in bio! #WCNExpo #wildlife #WildlifeConservation #WildlifePhoto #WildlifePhotography #WildlifeLovers #WildlifeActivist #ConservationPhotography #conservationist #ConservationBiology #conservation #SanFrancisco #SFEvents

"We were sitting, listening to the Umkhonto dogs approximately 150 metres away in thick bush, when we heard a sound we recognised immediately: a dog caught in a snare. We ran in. I was able to catch and immobilise him so we could remove the snare and treat his wounds. He was battered from the struggle, but thankfully okay. At the site—where the pack had been resting—we removed 12 snares. The dogs fled as we approached. Without constant protection, it is impossible to know how many more could have been caught. This is what 24/7 monitoring and protection is about." - Peter Blinston. #SaveThePaintedDog #PDC #UmkhontoPack #PoachingStealsFromUsAll Photo Credit: John Stuelpnagel

That’s a wrap for the 2026 #WildlifeRangerChallenge in the Hwange landscape. A huge congratulations and thank you to every ranger who took on the 21km challenge carrying 22kg packs—a powerful reflection of the strength, endurance and commitment they bring to protecting wildlife every day. We are deeply grateful to everyone who came out to cheer them on, and to ZimParks for hosting the event and making the park route possible. Thank you to all participating ranger-team organisations for coming together in true Hwange landscape collaboration to make this event a success: Conservation & Wildlife Fund, Dete Animal Rescue, Friends of Hwange, Mother Africa Trust and the incredible support from Hwange Safari Lodge and all our stakeholders. We also extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who donated to the ranger teams’ campaign pages; to Tusk, the Game Rangers Association of Africa, and all those working behind the scenes to deliver the Wildlife Ranger Challenge. Let us carry this spirit of collaboration forward. We look forward to coming together again next year to celebrate our rangers and make the Challenge even bigger—because we are stronger when we stand #ForWildlifeRangers. #WildlifeRangerChallenge2026

Tomorrow, we take on the #WildlifeRangerChallenge alongside fellow rangers across the Hwange landscape, and rangers throughout Africa and beyond. Join us in raising awareness of the vital role rangers play in protecting wildlife, conserving wild spaces, and supporting communities. #ForWildlifeRangers @tusk_org @gamerangersassociationofafrica @conservation_wildlife_fund @friendsofhwange @mother_africa_trust @DART @_zimparks

The Chawawa pack in Mana Pools: 14 adults and 11 healthy pups.

…and finally, Isquaga, the alpha female of the Umkhonto pack, has shown us her pups! Our team counted 15 healthy pups, and we couldn’t be happier. After weeks of uncertainty, this is an encouraging moment for everyone working around the clock to protect this pack. This is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and determination of our teams, who have remained with the pack 24/7, monitoring their movements, protecting the den, and working tirelessly to keep them safe from highway traffic. But the work is far from over. This is just one encouraging milestone — and a reminder to our team, partners and supporters that what we are doing is working. We will continue to stand with the Umkhonto pack and do everything we can to give these pups the best chance of survival. We will not rest until the pack is safe. #UmkhontoPack #PaintedDogs #PaintedDogConservation #ConservationInAction #RoomToRoam #WildlifeConservation

Pup season is upon us. This is the Acacia pack in Mana Pools. The alpha female, Mkabayi, is having a total of seven pups this season. They have a good chance of survival in a pack with 20 adult dogs but its still a long way before the pups are totally clear of the proverbial enermies - hyenas and lions.

The heat is on! Our Hwange National Park Buffer Zone Team is gearing up for the 2026 Wildlife Ranger Challenge on 19 September. In a powerful show of unity and solidarity, our rangers will join teams across Africa to take on a demanding 21 km half marathon — carrying 22 kg backpacks. Every kilometre reflects the determination, courage and commitment of the people protecting Africa’s wildlife and wild places. Support their challenge with a donation here: https://wildlife.rangerchallenge.org/campaigns/painted-dog-conservation-2026 Thanks to Mark Scheinberg and our other funding partners, all funds raised are matched, doubling the impact of your support for rangers on the frontline. #WildlifeRangerChallenge #ForWildlifeRangers #HwangeNationalPark #Conservation #Tusk #gamerangerassocationafrica #HwangeNationalParkBufferZoneTeam

Be part of the pack, donate now to help protect painted dogs https://give.wildnet.org/campaign/805190/donate #painteddogconservation #savethepainted #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation

Every sunrise begins with protection. Before the day begins across the landscape, our anti-poaching teams are already on the ground. Alongside trained detection dogs like Soma, they patrol the landscapes that painted dogs and other wildlife depend on — monitoring threats, supporting field operations, and helping keep these ecosystems safe. Protecting painted dogs is about more than responding to threats. It is about being present, every day, in the places where wildlife needs protection most. Every patrol. Every landscape. Every sunrise matters. #painteddogconservation #painteddogs #conservation #WildlifeProtection #antipoaching #ConservationDogs #ProtectWildlife #Zimbabwe #ConservationInAction

Investing in the next generation of conservationists. We are grateful to UK based Culford School's Zimbabwe Trip Fundraising Team for their generous donation of iPads to the Wilton Nsimango Children’s Bush Camp. The iPads will provide young learners with greater access to digital learning resources and conservation education, creating new opportunities to explore wildlife, biodiversity and the environment through technology alongside their hands-on experiences at the Bush Camp. For us, this donation represents more than technology. It is an investment in young people and in the next generation of conservationists who will help shape the future of Zimbabwe’s wildlife and natural heritage. Thank you to everyone at Culford School and the Zimbabwe trip fundraising team who contributed to making this possible. #painteddogconservation #wiltonnsimangochildrenbushcamp #CulfordSchool #conservationeducation #WildlifeEducation #Zimbabwe #YouthInConservation #DigitalLearning #environmentaleducation

Human-wildlife coexistence depends on informed communities and strong collaboration. Painted Dog Conservation joined @_zimparks , the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Forestry Commission, Hwange Rural District Council, Shangano Arts Trust and local traditional leadership for a community wildlife awareness engagement in Shangano, Hwange. The engagement focused on human-wildlife conflict, responsible environmental stewardship and the importance of working together to protect communities and wildlife. PDC also used the opportunity to raise awareness about painted dogs, the threats they face and the importance of reporting wildlife crimes to the relevant authorities. Strengthening conservation awareness at community level is an important part of building coexistence and creating safer landscapes for people and wildlife. #painteddogconservation #humanwildlifecoexistence #ConservationInAction #painteddogs #africanwilddog #wildlifeprotection #communityconservation #hwange #Zimbabwe #protectthepainteddog

Where wildlife and people share the same landscape, every crossing matters. Dusty of the Umkhonto Pack crosses the highway, navigating a landscape where roads cut through areas shared by painted dogs and people. Protecting painted dogs means understanding and addressing the risks they face beyond protected areas — including the roads that cut through their range. Coexistence requires space, awareness and care for wildlife on the move. Photo Credit: Desmond Musyoka #painteddogconservation #painteddogs #africanwilddog #umkhontopack #wildlifeconservation #WildlifeProtection #humanwildlifecoexistence #conservation #Zimbabwe #savethepainteddogs

Across the Gwayi landscape, our anti-poaching teams remain on patrol, protecting the Umkhonto Pack and other wildlife from threats on the ground. Every patrol contributes to a safer landscape, with teams working to remove snares and other threats that put wildlife at risk. This is the work that helps give painted dogs and the wider wildlife they share this landscape with a better chance to survive. #painteddogconservation #painteddogs #umkhontopack #antipoaching #WildlifeProtection #ConservationInAction #fieldpatrols #zimbabwewildlife

Conservation is ultimately about people. Painted Dog Conservation joined communities at the RCCL Jane Bubear Heroes Cup Final, using the power of sport as an opportunity to engage young people and communities on the importance of protecting painted dogs, wildlife and the natural environment. Beyond the competition on the field, the event provided an opportunity to promote conservation awareness, encourage community participation and create meaningful conversations about the role we all play in protecting Zimbabwe’s wildlife. Conservation outreach extends beyond traditional platforms. Through sport, education and community engagement, we can reach new audiences, strengthen understanding of the threats facing painted dogs and other wildlife, and build greater support for their protection. Congratulations to Foxes FC on winning the RCCL Jane Bubear Heroes Cup, and to all the teams, supporters and organisers who contributed to a successful tournament. #ConservationThroughSport #CommunityEngagement #painteddogconservation #janebubearheroescup #wildlifeconservation

Building initiatives for a sustainable future requires more than ideas — it requires people, partnerships and conversations that turn those ideas into action. At the 2026 Matabeleland North Provincial Agricultural Show, Painted Dog Conservation joined a diverse range of exhibitors, organisations and stakeholders in bringing their work closer to communities under the theme, “Building Initiatives for a Sustainable Future”. For us, the show provided an opportunity to share the story of painted dogs, raise awareness about the threats they face and engage visitors on the importance of protecting wildlife and the landscapes we share. From conservation education and community engagement to promoting coexistence between people and wildlife, platforms such as these help take conservation beyond protected areas and into the communities that are central to its success. A sustainable future for wildlife is built together — through knowledge, collaboration and shared responsibility. #painteddogconservation #painteddogs #MatabelelandNorth #conservation #sustainablefuture #wildlifeconservation #communityconservation #conservationeducation

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