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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

Investing in people is investing in the future of painted dog conservation. As part of the Painted Wolf Conservation Leadership Programme, Painted Dog Conservation was proud to host the latest cohort of emerging African conservation leaders for an intensive period of practical learning and knowledge exchange in Zimbabwe. Building on their field experience in Zambia's South Luangwa landscape, the cohort joined our teams to gain hands-on experience in wildlife research, ecological monitoring, community engagement and conservation approaches that have helped protect painted dogs for decades. The Painted Wolf Conservation Leadership Programme, a partnership between the Painted Wolf Foundation, the Zambian Carnivore Programme and Painted Dog Conservation, is strengthening conservation across Africa by equipping young conservationists with the practical skills, scientific knowledge and leadership needed to protect painted dogs wherever they occur. By sharing expertise across landscapes and borders, we are helping build a new generation of African conservation leaders committed to securing the future of one of the continent's most endangered species. #painteddogconservation #painteddogs #ConservationLeadership #wildlifeconservation #KnowledgeExchange #africa @paintedwolf_org @zcp_zambia

Building stronger communities to secure a future for wildlife. Conservation extends beyond protected areas. It is also about creating opportunities for the people who share the landscape with wildlife. The official opening of the Uncommon Painted Dog Conservation Innovation Hub in Gwayi marks an important milestone in that journey. Established through a partnership between Uncommon and Painted Dog Conservation, the Hub equips young people with digital, entrepreneurial and innovation skills, helping to create sustainable livelihood opportunities while strengthening community participation in conservation. Communities play a vital role in protecting painted dogs and the ecosystems they depend on. By investing in education, technology and local enterprise, we are helping to build a future where both people and wildlife can thrive. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North, Honourable Richard Moyo, for officially commissioning the Innovation Hub, and to Painted Dog Conservation Board Chairman, Senator Jerry Gotora, whose leadership and shared vision continue to strengthen the link between conservation, education and community development. And the Uncommon leadership, all the traditional leaders, local leadership and stakeholders that graced the event. Together, we are investing in people, protecting landscapes, and securing a future for painted dogs. #painteddogconservation #InnovationForConservation #communityconservation #conservationeducation #DigitalSkills #YouthEmpowerment #SustainableLivelihoods #protectingpainteddogs #conservation #Zimbabwe

Reducing vehicle speeds is a critical step towards protecting one of Zimbabwe's most endangered species. Our painted dog population stands at barely 700 adults across the country, and less than 7000 on the entire Continent of Africa. Vehicle collisions remain one of the leading threats to painted dogs, particularly along the Gwayi section of the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway, where the Umkhonto Pack have chosen to den this year. Emergency measures were called for by our team, who are monitoring the pack around the clock, as they frequently cross the road on hunting forays and to drink. Our appeals have been heard, and the installation of these temporary rumble strips has begun. This critical road safety intervention that encourages motorists to slow down, reduces the risk of collisions for painted dogs and other wildlife while improving safety for all road users. Painted Dog Conservation sincerely acknowledges the support of the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development in advancing this initiative, as well as the leadership of our Chairman, Hon. Senator Jerry Gotora, whose continued commitment to collaborative conservation is helping deliver practical solutions for wildlife protection. Every driver has a role to play. Slowing down through wildlife crossing areas can make the difference between life and death. #painteddogconservation #RoadSafety #wildlifeconservation #painteddogs #ProtectWildlife #Zimbabwe #ConservationInAction

Every patrol begins long before wildlife is seen. This World Ranger Day, we honour the dedication, resilience and quiet commitment of the rangers who work every day to protect painted dogs, conserve all wildlife and safeguard the landscapes they call home. From monitoring wildlife and removing snares to spending long hours in the field, every step they take helps secure a future where painted dogs and countless other species can continue to thrive. Their work is often unseen, but its impact is lasting. Today, we also remember the rangers around the world who lost their lives in the line of duty, and we stand with those who continue this vital work with courage, professionalism and hope. Because every patrol matters. Happy World Ranger Day. #WorldRangerDay #everypatrolmatters #painteddogconservation #painteddogs #wildlifeconservation #ProtectWildlife #rangers #Zimbabwe

Today, on World Nature Conservation Day, we join the global call to strengthen grassroots action for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and the sustainable stewardship of our natural resources. Protecting nature requires collective action. Every patrol, every partnership, every community engagement and every conservation action contributes to healthier ecosystems and a more secure future for endangered painted dogs and the many species that share these landscapes. As we mark this day, we recognise the dedication of rangers, researchers, communities, partners and supporters whose commitment continues to advance conservation where it matters most—on the ground. Together, we are building resilient landscapes where wildlife and people can thrive. #WorldNatureConservationDay #painteddogconservation #biodiversity #EcosystemRestoration #wildlifeconservation #natureconservation #ConservationInAction #Zimbabwe

Before first light, the work has already begun. As the first rays of sunlight reach the Gwayi landscape, our research team is already tracking the Umkhonto Pack, monitoring their movements and gathering critical information to better understand and protect Zimbabwe’s endangered painted dogs. Every signal received helps guide conservation decisions that safeguard one of Zimbabwe’s important painted dog populations. Photo Credit: @carminevisuals #painteddogs #africanwilddogs #WildlifeResearch #conservationscience #protectpainteddogs #ConservationInAction #endangeredspecies #wildlifeconservation #savingspecies

WE'RE IN! 💪🐾 Painted Dog Conservation is proud to be taking part in this year's #WildlifeRangerChallenge! Climate change, human-wildlife conflict and growing human populations continue to threaten Africa's wildlife. Rangers are on the front line of protecting these precious ecosystems, but increasing pressures and funding gaps are making their work more challenging than ever. Today, our two teams—the all-female Vusile and the all-male MK/Abangane—completed their #WRC quiz, officially kicking off their journey to the main Wildlife Ranger Challenge on 19 September 2026! Over the coming weeks, they'll be training, fundraising and preparing to take on the challenge in support of wildlife rangers and the critical conservation work they do every day. You can help make a difference. Support our teams, spread the word and help us raise vital funds #ForWildlifeRangers: https://wildlife.rangerchallenge.org/campaigns/painted-dog-conservation-2026 @tusk_org @gamerangersassociationofafrica

Painted Dog Conservation PVO 13/2005, PO BOX 72 Dete Zimbabwe +263772162852 info@painteddog.org

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