The AWCF formed in 2005, having grown out of the Lowveld Wild Dog Project which started in 1996. We are 100% field-based and with over 2 decades of experience, are well placed to make a genuine, substantial and long lasting contribution to the conservation of Africa’s large carnivores, as well as the prey and habitats on which they depend.
AWCF is a registered non-profit in the US (FIN: 26-0571535, a registered Trust in Zimbabwe (Prot. No.: 0000476/2012) and a registered charity in the UK (Charity # 1186260). We work in partnership with the Zimbabwean Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, under permits from the Research Council of Zimbabwe and with the support of the Ministry of Education.
There are only 650 African Wild Dog packs left in the whole world.
Adopt a pack and help save the species from extinction.
AWCF has teams based in and around both the Savé Valley Conservancy (SVC) and the Gonarezhou National Park in south-east Zimbabwe. Populations of wild dogs, lions and hyenas have increased exponentially in both areas since 2008. Currently, the population of endangered African wild dogs in SVC is at one of the highest densities in the world.
Our methods include monitoring, removing snares from injured carnivores, anti-poaching support, rabies vaccinations for domestic dogs, conservation awareness programs in schools, school field trips, a secondary school scholarship program, library and literacy programs, various community support projects and policy dialogue.
The AWCF team is a devoted group of primarily local Zimbabweans, with an international reputation for achieving excellent conservation outcomes. All of our work relies on the financial support of granting institutions and private donors. We have extremely low overheads and none of the directors or trustees receives any financial (or other) remuneration for their efforts.
AWCF has a board of trustees in the US, Zimbabwe and the UK, and is also registered in South Africa. Our 5-year strategic plan can be downloaded here and our latest annual reports are available here.