In an effort to protect endangered animals, 28 schools in Matebeleland North recently participated
in bush camping organised by Painted Dog Conservation.

The schools from Hwange, Lupane and Tsholotsho held their four-day long bush camp at Iganyana
Bush Camp.

Winston Msimanga, the PDC education manager said the main purpose of the bush camp was to
educate children about conservation and be the safety watchdog for wild animals.

“We are delighted to dedicate our time to the minors because they are the future. The future of
wildlife is also in their hands so we involve minors to create a conducive environment in which
painted dogs can thrive,” he said.

The students who came in their numbers had an opportunity to see the endangered animals and
learn about them. They also had an opportunity to view game in Hwange National Park.

“The aim is to create a conservation awareness in the younger generation so that they pass it onto
the next generation,” said Msimanga.

A painted dog is one of the endangered animals in Africa. There are fewer than 7,000 painted dogs
left across the continent. Painted dogs also known as African wild or hunting dogs—are beautiful,
unique, and fascinating social animals which are native to Africa.

They live in small pockets across a handful of countries including Zimbabwe, the home of Painted
Dog Conservation. There are roughly 700 painted dogs in Zimbabwe and PDC works with local
populations of both humans and dogs—via conservation, education, and outreach programs—to
help them not only survive here, but thrive.

In Zimbabwe, painted dogs are protected under the following Statutory Instruments (SI):SI 2020-071
Parks and Wild Life (Specially Protected Animals) Regulations, 2020.