Conserving Painted Dogs
In Zimbabwe

The African Wildlife Conservation Fund (AWCF) is a non-profit organisation and a Zimbabwean-registered Trust, dedicated to the conservation of the large carnivore guild of southern Africa, with a particular emphasis on the endangered African Wild Dog.

We began supporting AWCF in 2023 on two of their projects in the Savé Valley Conservancy (SVC), The Lowveld Wild Dog Project and Community Fence Guardian Project.

The Lowveld Wild Dog Project

The Lowveld Wild Dog Project remains at the core of AWCF’s work in the south-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe. Their three scouts based in and around SVC are Cain, Akim and Misheck, who continue to monitor and protect the conservancy’s African wild dogs diligently. At the start of 2024, AWCF commenced its 16th year of comprehensive monitoring, research, and protection of this important population of wild dogs. With the support of the Trust, their scouts and the wider AWCF team have been very active in the field and able to quickly respond to incidents of human-wild dog conflict, sightings of dogs carrying snare injuries and other urgent challenges to the species. AWCF has been able to maintain a working environment where the conservation team have the resources and equipment needed to successfully complete their duties to a high standard. We have positively benefited wild dogs and wildlife and helped unite communities and the SVC on issues of human-wildlife conflict.

Since 2023 the Trust has helped:

  • Fund 3 field scouts who are responsible for overseeing the welfare of the animals

  • Provide 3 x Motorbikes for their scouts to use as patrol vehicles to monitor the 75+ wild dogs in the conservancy

  • Fund field equipment such as radios, cameras and protective gear

  • Vaccinate over 4,800 domestic dogs in the local community from rabies

AWCF scouts, Akim, Misheck and Cain (L-R) on new motorbikes

Community Fence Guardian Project

Map of fence section

Rabies vaccination program

Fence guardians assessing a boundary section

Rescued dog that was found snared

One of the most successful ways to protect the wildlife within SVC is through effective and well-placed fencing at the perimeter of the conservancy. Fencing that is well maintained and without breaches not only reduces the opportunity for wild animals to roam beyond the conservancy boundary, but it also prevents livestock and domestic animals from entering the protected area which minimises disease spread. Additionally, the increased presence of employees stationed along the fence boundary deters poachers and improves intelligence sharing between the conservancy and the communities living close by. The Community Fence Guardian Project was piloted by AWCF in May 2022 to May 2023, employing six rural women from local villages in the role. They were tasked with the job of maintaining a key stretch of fencing along the perimeter of the western boundary of SVC, an area which is regularly navigated by two packs of African wild dogs. By the end of the pilot phase in May 2023, significant results were seen. Fencing that was previously plagued with breaches, fallen posts, missing wire and in a general state of disarray is now secured, with regular patrols keeping on top of maintenance. Where foliage had previously overgrown the fence, one meter of land set back from either side of the fence has been cleared, setting a firm boundary for the protected area for straying animals and poachers, and making it much easier to detect (and react to!) incursions.

In addition to the conservation impact we are seeing, the project has proven to be transformative for the women who have undertaken the role of fence guardian. A regular salary has enabled them to become more food secure, pay the school fees for their dependents and invest in other enterprising activities to provide a better standard of living for their families. Sarah and Tukei from Village 15 work together as fence guardians and have now become entrepreneurs in their spare time. As the breadwinner of her family and a caregiver to her husband who is unable to work, Tukei directs some of her savings from working as a fence guardian towards running a small poultry business. With the additional income, she has recently purchased a solar panel and solar lights for her home, so that her children and grandchildren are able to study in the evenings.

Since 2023 the Trust has helped:

  • Fund materials for 16km of fencing along the park boundary

  • Provide salaries for 10 women working on the fence project

Empowering local women to start their own businesses