With research as the guiding tool, Painted Dog Research Trust is dedicated to the conservation of the highly endangered painted dog, also known as the African wild dog. This work has been ongoing for over 30 years by founder and executive director, Dr. Greg Rasmussen, making it one of the longest studies into the species. 

The mission of the Painted Dog Research Trust is to achieve meaningful conservation of African painted dogs using field-based data driven research, community-based education, and sound science. We envision a freely interconnected painted dog population unencumbered by human interference. We achieve this by the following strategies: 

1. Mentor Zimbabwean and international university students to train tomorrow's generation of conservationists.
2. Address conservation challenges throughout the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) dispersal corridor in Zimbabwe, linking painted dog populations of all five neighboring countries.
3. Implement multi-level conservation initiatives, including field data collection, development and deployment of satellite tracking anti-snare collars for painted dogs, vehicle speed reduction, education outreach, and habitat restoration.
4. Utilize education and empathy in local communities to find solutions that are beneficial to both painted dogs and people.

The African wild dog is known by many names, including Cape hunting dog or painted dog. Its scientific name, Lycaon pictus, means “painted wolf,” referring to the animal's irregular, mottled coat, which features patches of red, black, brown, white, and yellow fur. Each animal has its own unique coat pattern, and all have big, rounded ears. These long-legged canines have only four toes per foot, unlike other dogs, which have five toes on their forefeet.

Painted Dog Research Trust

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