This year, a new organisation has set out to understand the painted wolves of eastern Namibia with an incredibly innovative approach. The Kalahari African Wild Dog Conservation Trust was founded in 2021 by Nadja Le Roux, who also works with the Cheetah Conservation Fund to monitor and conserve painted wolves in other parts of Namibia.
Painted wolves, otherwise known as African wild dogs or painted dogs, are considered Critically Endangered in Namibia, with only 350 individuals remaining. The project is operating in the Tsumkwe District and working with San master trackers of the Ju”hoansi Tracker Association to learn more about the population of painted wolves in the area. As part of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (which links wildlife habitat across five countries – Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe), this is a very exciting new project.
Along with the Cheetah Conservation Fund and the Kwando Carnivore Project, we’re delighted to see this new project take off in Namibia, and look forward to following their progress as they learn about this absolutely critical population. You can read their first newsletter here (KAWDCT_July2021-1), and sign up to receive updates from their website.
