At The Wilds, we are proud to be home to a remarkable herd of African painted dogs, one of the most captivating and endangered species in the world. As a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) initiative, we are committed to the conservation and protection of these incredible animals.
About SAFE African Painted Dogs
The SAFE African Painted Dog program aims to bolster the conservation efforts of AZA institutions in three key regions: West and Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa. The initiative's goals are to:
- Increase Conservation Support: By providing financial and logistical assistance to on-the-ground conservation projects.
- Raise Public Awareness: Educating the public about the plight of African painted dogs both in their natural habitats (in-situ) and in managed care (ex-situ).
- Build Relationships: Strengthening partnerships between AZA institutions and key field partners dedicated to African painted dog conservation.
Our Role in Conservation
At The Wilds, we are dedicated to contributing to these vital conservation goals. Our efforts include:
- Habitat Management: Creating and maintaining a naturalistic environment that gives the painted dogs' plenty of space, allowing them to thrive and display natural behaviors. In fact, The Wilds has the largest painted dog habitat of all organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums!
- Public Education: Hosting educational programs and interactive experiences that inform our visitors about the importance of African painted dog conservation and how they can contribute to the cause.
- Support for Field Projects: Collaborating with and supporting conservation projects in Africa to protect painted dogs in the wild.
Meet Our Painted Dogs
Our painted dogs are ambassadors for their species, helping us tell the story of their struggles and triumphs. These social and highly intelligent animals live in close-knit packs, exhibiting a range of fascinating behaviors that captivate and educate our visitors.
Known as painted dogs due to color splotches, each pattern is different for each individual dog, similar to fingerprints in humans.
African painted dogs communicate with each other using vocalization as well as body language; their ear movement may also help them communicate as well as to hear.
How You Can Help
You can join us in making a difference for African painted dogs by:
- Visiting The Wilds: A portion of your admission fee supports our conservation efforts.
- Donating: Contributing to our conservation fund helps us provide vital resources to field projects in Africa.
- Spreading the Word: Sharing information about African painted dogs and their conservation needs with your friends and family.
Together, we can help secure a future for African painted dogs in the wild and ensure that these magnificent animals continue to roam the savannas of Africa for generations to come.
Visit us at The Wilds and be part of this incredible conservation journey!
