African Wildlife Conservation Fund

African Wildlife Conservation Fund The African Wildlife Conservation Fund is committed to conserving wild dogs and wildlife populations in Africa. The African Wildlife Conservation Fund is a U.S.
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Help us make a difference-ADOPT A PACK � https://africanwildlifeconservationfund.org/adopt-a-pack/ The African Wildlife Conservation Fund (AWCF) was set up in 2007 and aims to promote the long-term sustainability of wildlife populations in Africa through research and education. The work of AWCF, although not yet offically formed, dates back to 1992 where a project to conserve a small and vulnerabl

e population of endangered African wild dogs was initiated. Work has continued on this wild dog population in the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC - www.savevalleyconservancy.org), allowing the population to increase from just 32 in 1992 to well over 100 by 2011. AWCF has expanded its work to include a comprehensive predator study in the Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA). Within the GLTFCA, AWCF has partnered up with several private, non-governmental and governmental organisations to enhance the conservation of several keystone predator species. AWCF continues to support black rhino conservation in the SVC through funding support as well as addressing the bush-meat trade in the area. AWCF has also initiated an outreach and education program aimed at spreading awareness about conservation issues in Africa. registered non-profit organisation and donations to the fund are tax deductible - For more info on how you can help, please see our website.

A fascinating moment from the Nova Pack: two litters of pups in the same breeding season.These photos of the Nova Pack s...
08/22/2026

A fascinating moment from the Nova Pack: two litters of pups in the same breeding season.

These photos of the Nova Pack show something truly special - two litters of pups born in the same breeding season, with the younger puppies following closely behind their older packmates.

While this might seem unusual, it's actually an important part of African wild dog social behaviour. Our recent research on African wild dog cooperative breeding, based on 14 years of monitoring 49 packs and 131 den sites in Save Valley Conservancy, found that among packs capable of producing multiple litters, 41.15% of breeding events resulted in two litters in a single season. These second litters are usually born to subordinate females and are cared for alongside the alpha female's pups by the entire pack, demonstrating the extraordinary cooperative nature of this endangered species.

The Nova Pack is giving us a front-row seat to this fascinating behaviour, and we're excited to follow the journeys of both litters as they grow.

Want to be part of their story? Adopt the Nova Pack and receive regular updates while directly supporting the conservation of these incredible endangered carnivores.

Learn more and adopt here: link in bio

Every year, the homemade African wild dog models get better.Some are built from cardboard. Some from papier-mâché. Some ...
08/20/2026

Every year, the homemade African wild dog models get better.

Some are built from cardboard. Some from papier-mâché. Some have painted ears, hand-cut spots and tails that refuse to stay upright. You can tell they've been worked on for weeks.

And that's exactly why we love seeing them.

Behind every model is a child who's spent time learning about one of Africa's most endangered carnivores and why protecting wildlife matters.

Over six days, 320 children from 32 primary schools came together for AWCF's Environmental Education Competitions. There were quizzes, poetry, speeches, traditional dance, football, netball and plenty of cheering, but every activity had one thing in common - helping children understand the wildlife and environment they share with their communities.

For us, these competitions aren't the end of our education programme. They're a celebration of everything the children have been learning throughout the year and a chance for them to share that knowledge with their families and communities.
Looking around at the crowds, it's hard not to think the message is spreading.

A huge thank you to UEFA Foundation for Children and Arche Noah for making these competitions possible.

Recently, we expanded our conservation education programme by welcoming four new conservation clubs during a one-day wor...
08/13/2026

Recently, we expanded our conservation education programme by welcoming four new conservation clubs during a one-day workshop at Mahachi Primary School in Chipinge District.

Teachers, who serve as the conservation club patrons, and headmasters from Matikwa, Mahachi, Mwanyisa, and St Peters Primary Schools came together to learn about the programme and receive everything they need to launch their clubs, including curriculum materials and start-up packs.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for conservation patrons from two well-established clubs to share their experiences, offering practical advice and inspiration as the new clubs begin their journey.

With these four additions, the Wildlife Club network, supported through AWCF's partnerships with Savé Valley Conservancy and Gonarezhou National Park, has grown from 34 to 38 clubs, giving even more young people the opportunity to learn about conservation, take part in hands-on environmental activities, and strengthen environmental stewardship within their schools and communities.

A sincere thank you to The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation for supporting the establishment of these four new conservation clubs, and to the Africa Range Wide Cheetah Conservation Initiative for funding the training workshops that empower the teachers and community leaders who make these clubs possible. Together, your support is helping inspire and equip the next generation of conservation champions.

When we think about lion conservation, it's easy to picture the lions themselves.But after spending years working alongs...
08/10/2026

When we think about lion conservation, it's easy to picture the lions themselves.

But after spending years working alongside these animals, I've learnt that conserving lions is rarely just about lions.

It's about understanding how they interact with prey, with other predators and with people. It's about recognising that every landscape is different and that good conservation depends on making informed decisions based on the best available evidence.

Perhaps most importantly, it's about collaboration.

Lions don't recognise fences, property boundaries or organisational logos. Their future depends on people working together across an entire landscape.

That was exactly the focus of a stakeholder workshop held in June to begin developing a new Lion Management Plan for Savé Valley Conservancy.

Led by Savé Valley Conservancy, the workshop brought together conservation organisations, researchers, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Rural District Councils, land managers and technical specialists to begin shaping a shared vision for lion conservation over the next 5–10 years. Together, we reviewed the current status of the conservancy's lions, discussed the challenges they face, identified gaps in our knowledge and explored how we can ensure future management decisions continue to be guided by sound science.

One thing became very clear throughout the discussions: successful lion conservation isn't about chasing a particular number of lions. It's about maintaining a healthy population, understanding how lions respond to changes across the landscape, reducing conflict where people and lions share space, protecting habitat and ensuring management decisions are based on robust evidence rather than assumptions.

For AWCF, it was a privilege to contribute our long-term monitoring and Human-Wildlife Coexistence experience to those discussions. Our role is one part of a much bigger collaborative effort, and that's exactly how it should be.

As this management plan develops over the coming months, I'm excited to see so many partners contributing their expertise towards a shared goal: ensuring Savé Valley Conservancy continues to support a healthy, resilient lion population long into the future.

We are proud to be working alongside Savé Valley Conservancy on this important initiative, and grateful to every organisation and stakeholder contributing their knowledge and experience, and to the Lion Recovery Fund for supporting the development of the plan.

Happy World Lion Day.

— Jess Watermeyer
Operations Director, African Wildlife Conservation Fund

Aren't these African wild dog pups adorable? These brilliant photos were captured by  during a recent visit to Save Vall...
08/09/2026

Aren't these African wild dog pups adorable?

These brilliant photos were captured by during a recent visit to Save Valley Conservancy with AWFC team members Patience and Nkosi, and feature the Mudiwa Pack enjoying life in the wild.

African wild dogs are among the continent's most endangered carnivores, making every healthy pack and every new generation of puppies a reason for hope.

A huge thank you Andries and Retha, and to all our Adopt-a-pack sponsors who help us to keep monitoring our resident packs, dens and puppies, year after year!

08/07/2026

When large carnivores approach a village, a quick community response can make all the difference.

As part of our human-wildlife coexistence efforts, AWCF provides noise deterrents to selected community members living in areas shared with wildlife. When a carnivore is spotted near a settlement, one person sounds the alarm, prompting others in the village to join in. Together, the coordinated noise helps encourage the animal to move away from homes and livestock areas without causing harm.

In this video, two women demonstrate how the noise deterrent works in practice. These simple but effective tools empower communities to take an active role in reducing human-wildlife conflict while helping keep both people and wildlife safe.

By giving communities the tools to respond safely and effectively, we can help prevent conflict before it happens, keeping both people and wildlife safe. These noise deterrents are just one part of AWCF's broader human-wildlife coexistence approach, where practical tools, local knowledge, and community partnerships work together to reduce conflict.

Recently, our Fence Guardians, who maintain the boundary fence between Savé Valley Conservancy  and neighbouring communa...
08/05/2026

Recently, our Fence Guardians, who maintain the boundary fence between Savé Valley Conservancy and neighbouring communal lands, came together at Chishakwe Safaris for a training and learning exchange. The first day focused on practical bicycle maintenance, helping the women keep the bicycles they rely on for daily fence patrols in good working order.

On the second day, the 27 Fence Guardians enjoyed a game drive to experience the wildlife they work so hard to protect. They also visited the Anti-Poaching and Tracking Specialists, gaining a deeper understanding of the protected landscape they help safeguard every day.

We were also pleased to welcome representatives from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, who commended the Fence Guardians for their dedication and recognised the importance of creating meaningful employment opportunities for women through conservation.

By equipping and empowering local women, the Fence Guardian Programme is helping strengthen both communities and human-wildlife coexistence across the Save Valley landscape.

Our thanks to the Briandez Legacy Trust and the Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust for their ongoing investment in the Fence Guardians and our shared conservation mission.

Today, on  , we're celebrating the dedication of AWCF's scouts, and rangers across the world who work tirelessly to prot...
07/31/2026

Today, on , we're celebrating the dedication of AWCF's scouts, and rangers across the world who work tirelessly to protect wildlife.

Every day, our scouts are out in the field monitoring African wild dogs and other large carnivores, checking camera traps, collecting vital ecological data, patrolling for signs of illegal activity such as snares and poaching, and responding when wildlife needs help.

In 2025 alone, AWCF's five scouts travelled 28,751 kilometres (equivalent of walking London to Cape Town almost twice) across Zimbabwe's southeast lowveld, helping protect one of Africa's most important carnivore landscapes.

Their work is physically demanding, often unseen, and fundamental to the conservation of endangered species.

To our incredible team - and to every ranger and scout protecting wildlife around the world - thank you.

Happy World Ranger Day!

For many women in rural Zimbabwe, opportunities to earn an independent income are limited. But through AWCF's Vocational...
07/30/2026

For many women in rural Zimbabwe, opportunities to earn an independent income are limited. But through AWCF's Vocational Training Scheme, new skills are opening doors to brighter futures.

In June, 10 women from Ward 24 in Bikita took part in a one-month refresher course, building on the sewing and business skills they have already developed. Alongside advanced sewing machine training, they strengthened their knowledge of cooperative management and running successful small businesses.

For many participants, these skills have been life-changing. Women who once struggled to make ends meet are now running thriving businesses, supporting their families, building homes, and even creating employment for others.

By helping women build sustainable livelihoods, we're not only strengthening households and local economies - we're also reducing reliance on natural resources and creating lasting benefits for both communities and conservation.

Our 2025 Annual Report isn't just about looking back.It's about where we're going next.In the year ahead, we'll continue...
07/28/2026

Our 2025 Annual Report isn't just about looking back.

It's about where we're going next.

In the year ahead, we'll continue protecting African wild dogs, strengthening human-wildlife coexistence, supporting local communities, and expanding our conservation impact across Zimbabwe's southeast lowveld.

None of this would be possible without the support of our staff, partners, donors, community members, and everyone who believes in a future where people and wildlife thrive together.

Thank you to everyone helping make that future possible.

Read our full 2025 Annual Report here:https://www.africanwildlifeconservationfund.org/storage/2026/06/AWCF_2025_Annual_Report_01.pdf

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