PAINTED DOG CONSERVATION Incorporated (ABN 30 268 127 580) Registered address: Telephone: +61 8-9455 6073 / Mobile: 0419 956 238 Painted Dog Conservation Incorporated Email: [email protected] (Western Australia) [email protected] PO Box 637 South Perth WA 6951 Website: www.painteddogconservation.iinet.net.au AUSTRALIA

Mr John Heagney Administrator Register of Environmental Organisations, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601

Dear Sir

REO Statistical Return of Tax Deductible Donations Outcomes achieved during the financial year to 30th June 2011. For PDC Inc 2011 continued to build on our 0 was our best yet. A quick overview of the year includes fully funding an Anti-poaching team in South Luangwa National Park through the South Luangwa Conservation Society, with the generous financial support of Perth Zoo and their Wildlife Conservation Action Fundraising program. The investment thus far is $20,000 over the past two years and a further $16,600 in the coming year. We also supported a Community Education officer to the tune of $9000.00 US through Chipembele Trust and we have committed a further $10,000.00 from Perth Zoo for the coming year to undertake further education activities in the rural areas. Additionally, we have provided $5000.00 US for the domestic dog vaccination program we are undertaking in the South Luangwa Valley;two vehicles for the project which we are shipping across in December (one donated by Syd Chipchase and one purchased); we have also contributed $4100 to Dr Kellie Leigh, founder of the Conservation project (Now known as the Zambian Carnivore Programme) to undertake invaluable Genetic work on Painted Dogs. Additionally, we have provided $2500UUS to PhD candidate studying at Painted Dog Conservation , Ester van der Meer, for her ARGOS GPS Collar; our new website thanks to Dr Kellie Leigh; the introduction of Life Memberships and Pack Adoptions; a Bore Hole Appeal run by Sue Chipchase from Pet Magic Cannington, our very own Pet product range branded as PDC Inc with the Picasso caricature by Leah Austin of Custom Vintage; two fantastic fundraisers including an Art Auction “Paintings for Painted Dogs” and an evening with Tony Park; and our attendance at Perth Zoo‟s Day! .The 2010/2011 financial year has yet again been a very successful one for Painted Dog Conservation Incoporated and it‟s A quick overview of the year includes fully funding an Anti-poaching team in South Luangwa National Park through the South Luangwa Conservation Society, with the generous financial support of Perth Zoo and their Wildlife Conservation Action Fundraising program, the investment thus far is $20,000 over the past two years and a further $16,600 in this financial year. We also supported a Community Education officer to the tune of $10,000.00 from Perth Zoo to undertake further education activities in the rural areas. Additionally, we have provided two vehicles for the project which we shipped across in December (one donated by Syd Chipchase and one purchased); we have also contributed $4100 to Dr Kellie Leigh, founder of the African Wild Dog Conservation project (Now known as the Zambian Carnivore Programme) to undertake invaluable Genetic work on Painted Dogs.

Additionally, we have provided $8000.00US for the provision of a Motorbike for field research in Liuwa Plains for the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP), and the two vehicles for the project which were shipped to Africa in December 2010 (one donated by Syd Chipchase and one purchased) have also finally arrived and have been put to good use already! The Landrover is being utilized for education activities with Chipembele Wildlife Trust and with field work with the local schoolchildren with ZCP. The Rodeo has been a godsend to the project, enabling travel between Lusaka and Liuwa Plains virtually pain free, and also saving the project on expensive airfares and bus trips to travel between the field study sites. We have also pledged $5000.00US to Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe for essential maintenance on the rehabilitation Centre and $7000.00US to our latest supported project the Lowveld Wild Dog Project or Educational materials and teacher stipend.

We have also continued to grow our Life Memberships and Pack Adoptions; and continue our Bore Hole Appeal run by Sue Chipchase from Pet Magic Cannington. Sue also continues to stock our very own Pet product range, branded as PDC Inc with the Picasso caricature by Leah Austin of Custom Vintage. We have already had one successful fundraiser at Zebra‟s African Restaurant in April with over $8,000 being raised, and we are leading up to our next event, “Picture for Painted Dogs” –a family film night at Perth Zoo on the 15th July, 2011.

All the results are not possible without the assistance of our committee, members, supporters and our donors. Continued support from the SAVE Foundation committee, Nicholas Duncan, Mike Palmer, Kim and Geoff Hoddy, Nia Carras, Steve Harrison and Eveline Wong is always outstanding and donors like Perth Zoo, Syd and Sue Chipchase, Chris and Margie McClelland and others are always there to continue their support.

Our Patrons Bradley Trevor Grieve and Tony Park not only sell our message across our great country but also on the International front. In breaking news, Painted Dog Conservation Inc is very proud and pleased to announce that we have a new supporter on board-Sir Richard Branson is now officially endorsing the activities of PDC Inc. We are thrilled to be involved with the “Virgin Unite” arm of Sir Richard‟s enterprise.

Regular readers of the newsletter have been following the developments of PDC Inc providing two additional vehicles to the Zambian Carnivore Programme. We are pleased to announce that two vehicles will be making the journey from Fremantle to Dar es Salaam and onto Lusaka, in December. The vehicles will make a welcome addition to the project.

The two vehicles include a Series III Landrover, kindly donated by Syd Chipchase and a Holden Rodeo Turbo Diesel Twin Cab. Many people have been involved making this a reality including Syd Chipchase, Steve Harrison (Topline Second hand Cars), SAVE Foundation, Backpacker Car Rentals, Tracey and Brian Bernasconi, Maxene Kowaleski, and Troy York.

In addition I would like to thank Kirk Murray Franchise Owner, Ian Diffen “The Tyre Factory”, 109 South Terrace, Fremantle. For providing two tyres at retail price and donating the other two plus the fitting and balancing for free.

Another set of tyres were supplied by long time friend of Tracey and Brian Bernasconi, Frank Federico, of YHI (Australia) Pty Ltd, U1/4 White Street, Bayswater. He generously supplied the tyres at wholesale cost and no charge for delivery. Thanks also go to Belinda Monola, sales executive fromKuehne & Nagel Pty Ltd for assisting in the organization of the transport requirements and Orden Kabenda, Human Resources and Administration Officer WWF Zambia Country Office for organising our Duty exemption on the imports. Our sincere thanks must also go to everyone who has provided children‟s clothes and toys which have been packed to the brim inside the two vehicles. In particular, Mike and Lorraine Dunn who provided the majority of the work wear, The Fabric Printer and Rebecca Austin for her local school clothing drive.

Zambian Carnivore Programme

Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust 1. Amount of Funding In August 2010 PDC Inc and the Director of Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust in Zambia wrote a funding proposal to Perth Zoo to fund the Chipembele Conservation Education Outreach Programme. The amount of funding requested was $10,000 (AUS), being the outstanding amount required for running the programme in 2011.

2. Overview of the project The school year in Zambia runs January to December. The year began with the engagement of a new Conservation Education Manager, Rochelle James. Rochelle is an Australian citizen and has 2 degrees, one in and one in business management from the University of Queensland, St Lucia and is currently studying for a Masters in Environmental Management (Conservation Biology) by correspondence with the same University. She brought with her a wealth of experience from a range of jobs, the last one being Zoo Keeper at Australia Zoo. Rochelle has worked tirelessly to take the conservation education outreach project (which only began in May of the previous year) to the next level. She has exceptional interpersonal skills and the students love her. She also has excellent organizational skills and is able to manage all of her projects with minimal supervision. She has introduced some great new initiatives and the project has grown and strengthened immensely under her wing. Rochelle goes out into the Conservation Clubs of the schools every afternoon of the week and teaches conservation or wildlife subjects, using Power point presentations or involves them in Chipembele Ranger activities. The project has expanded to include a newly constructed student conservation resource office which opened in January 2011. The office is equipped with 10 laptops, a printer, satellite Internet, television and DVD player with 40 wildlife DVDs and a range of wildlife and conservation books and magazines. An IT teacher, Japhet Shumungu, takes computer lessons each afternoon for the students in the Chipembele programme. They have learnt Word, Excel, how to use the Internet, have e-mail addresses and have taken a touch typing course. There are no computers in the local schools so they are far more advanced than their peers who are not in the Chipembele programme. In addition, every Friday afternoon the Zambia Carnivore Programme takes 10 of the students on field research trips into the National park. In Term 2 they set camera traps, collected the pictures every Friday and came back in to the Chipembele Office on Saturday mornings to download the pictures and input the data into Excel spreadsheets. The information is being used by ZCP as part of their ongoing leopard research. Overall this year so far has been the most expansive and successful ever for the Chipembele conservation programme. At the end of the year we will be able to quantify the success with attendance figures of clubs, resource room, computer programme, Chipembele Ranger enrollment etc.

South Luangwa Conservation Society SLCS received a grant of $16,196 from Painted Dog Inc / Perth Zoo in November 2010. This was made available to SLCS to reduce wild dog mortalities through poaching, specifically illegal snaring activities in and around the South Luangwa National Park. Unfortunately meat poaching in the form of wire-snaring continues to have significant negative impacts on wildlife populations and affects a wide range of species through direct and “by-catch” mortality. Consequently snaring is perhaps the leading threat to certain endangered and threatened species, such as African wild dogs in many areas throughout the region and efforts to reduce poaching activity is of utmost importance. Whilst species such as wild dogs, lion, hyaena and elephant are not a target species their wide- ranging behaviour likely increases their probability of encountering snares. The Luangwa‟s size, remoteness, and growing human population accompanied by inherent illegal activities, make anti- snaring patrols critical.

Anti-poaching scouts being deployed for patrol by boat during the wet season.

The projects specific goals are to; 1. Continue the support of the wild dog anti-snaring team patrols in the national park and game management areas to remove snares that are responsible for the loss of many animals including wild dogs. 2. Conduct anti-snaring awareness campaigns in conjunction with other SLCS awareness activities within local communities to teach adults and children about the negative effects snaring has on wildlife. 3. Inform SLCS and ZCP on any snared animals encountered so that in order to immobilize, treat and rehabilitate any snared or injured animals found.

Activities undertaken to date Anti-snaring patrols Anti-snaring patrols continued late in to the dry season in 2010 made possible with funding from PDC Inc and Perth Zoo. 2010 was probably the worst year yet for snaring in South Luangwa, and hundreds of snares were removed from the bush by the wild dog anti-snaring team and other SLCS patrols. The 2010 wet season (December – April) made certain that SLCS supported scouts were kept busy in the field, sometimes for up to twenty days at a time in bleak conditions. Snaring traditionally decreases in Luangwa during the wet season for a variety of reasons including, dense vegetation growth with the onset of the rains making it difficult to set and check on snares and, because wildlife is generally spread out due to availability of water making it difficult to have positive catches. However the anti-snaring teams did not relax in any of their duties and while regular 3 anti-snaring day patrols were conducted, the scouts also took part in our annual wet season fly camp anti-poaching program. During the wet season the park becomes largely inaccessible and safari bush camps close down resulting in an increase in poaching in remote areas. The fly camps act as a deterrent to poachers in these areas as the scouts patrol far from the base during long field patrols, covering a much wider area and allowing more chance to apprehend suspects. The fly camps consist of a temporary base camp, fully equipped with solar and radio communications. Eight scouts are deployed at a time and operate on a rotational twenty day patrol period to ensure that the areas are well covered for the duration of the wet season (Fig 1). From the base camps, long patrols, short patrols and day patrols are conducted routinely and the scouts are available for rapid action responses in the area. The effectiveness of the scouts is also enhanced by the availability of canoes and motor boats for river crossings, enabling them to react to illegal activities on both sides of the Luangwa River. Snaring Research In addition to the anti-snaring teams, SLCS scouts are also being trained by one of our partners, the Zambian Carnivore Program (ZCP) in field research and data collection techniques. While the direct and immediate benefits of anti-poaching work to wildlife conservation are obvious, one lesser recognized conservation benefit not typically associated with these activities is their contribution to wildlife research. Scout patrols cover immense areas of remote and road less land throughout the year, recording wildlife sightings, documenting animal carcasses, and detailing poaching activity in addition to conducting law enforcement work. Data from sightings, the location of snares and poached animals, as well as biological samples from carcasses and from animals immobilized for snare removal can all provide invaluable data on a species‟ presence, distribution, disease exposure, genetics, diet, movements and migratory patterns to name just a few uses. All of this information can then be incorporated into evaluations of a species‟ dynamics, threats to its survival, and areas of high risk and conservation value. In recognition of this SLCS has increasingly teamed with the Zambian Carnivore Program to enhance collaboration and coordination in anti- poaching and wildlife research to benefit conservation. Darting and Veterinary support The SLCS darting and veterinary program is the only body responsible for snare removal, wildlife rescue and treatment in the Luangwa. The Zambia Wildlife Authority‟s (ZAWA) financial constraints in this department does not allow for these needs. To date the countless number of animals that have been rescued from snares and other man inflicted injuries has contributed significantly to their welfare. SLCS receives regular call outs and conducts all rescue and darting operations with a ZAWA scout / personnel. During the wet season snaring decreased and so rescue and treatment of wildlife has been fairly minimal. With the wet season over, reports of snared animals have started to increase and recently three elephants and one puku have been immobilized for snare wounds and one elephant treated for a gunshot wound. We anticipate that this year will be critical for snaring and we expect to spend an enormous amount of time in the field attending to snared animals. The snared wild dog in figure 2 below was part of a pack of eighteen dogs that kept both SLCS and ZCP in the field looking for them and attempting to dart him for nearly three weeks in November 2010. He always stayed away from the rest of the pack when we attempted to dart him and we could not get closer than 35 metres, he was 5 extremely wary and nervous because of his wound. Eventually we managed to track them one day when they were well positioned in an open river bed. We knew we probably only had one chance left to dart him and remove the snare before the rains set in and we would lose them.

Snared immobilized wild dog Treating the wound

The operation went smoothly and the snare was removed and his wound treated. This dog pack among others have been collared by ZCP and are monitored through GPS and satellite collar data from collared animals enabling ZCP to analyze dog dynamics in addition to collecting information on survival and dispersal. Collared wild dogs enable the Zambian Carnivore team to download valuable GIS data and pass it on to the SLCS law enforcement team which enables us to plan our anti-snaring patrols accordingly. With wild dog pack whereabouts known and general movement patterns being understood, SLCS is able to dispatch vital anti-snaring patrols at different times of the year in different locations. Because of these planned deployments countless snared and injured wild dogs have been identified, monitored, immobilized and rescued. ZCP has been able to track and monitor this pack during the rains and the wound on this male is slowly but certainly healing. In addition to wild dog conservation, the team has had an impact on a number of other species often reporting snared elephants, lion and other wildlife which we are then able to respond to and rescue where we can. The work conducted by the SLCS/ZCP wild dog anti-snaring team is invaluable to wildlife conservation in Luangwa. SLCS Annual 10km Fun Run The 2011 FUN RUN DAY turned out to be the busiest and most event filled day in our three years of hosting this event so far. With close to two hundred people participating in the 10km marathon and well over a thousand people during the day participating in sports events and supporting their teams, it was a fantastic day. Marathon runners came from different Chiefdoms in our area and volleyball and netball teams travelled from Chipata to compete with teams from Mfuwe.

For weeks before the event, SLCS used a local professional drama group called SEKA to conduct anti-snaring awareness campaigns in six different Chiefdoms surrounding the South Luangwa National Park. Drama sensitization and education programs also took place in local schools and popular meeting points to highlight the negative effects of snaring on wildlife which in turn will affect everyone living in Luangwa. The SLCS fun run presents a platform for community members, school children, government departments, conservation organizations, tour operators and business people in Luangwa to come together for a day of fun and entertainment with the idea of emphasizing wildlife conservation messages. We hope next year‟s event will be even bigger than the 2011 event.

Lowveld Wild Dog Project Project South-East Zimbabwe

In Early 2011 PDC Inc began supporting our fourth in-situ Painted Dog project, notably the Lowveld Wild Dog Project in South-East Zimbabwe. The project is lead by Dr Rosemary Groom, a Conservation Biologist with the African Wildlife Conservation Fund. To date PDC Inc has funded the development of educational materials, indigenous teacher stipend and teacher training workshops to be held in August 2011.

Rosemary has advised PDC Inc that the Zimbabwean primary school teacher we are supporting (Stanley) is an excellent asset! He is assisting with the development of the learning materials, and will also be assisting with the planned workshops. In addition, Rosemary has also had recent promising meetings with the local Ministry of Education and many of the local Primary School Head Teachers in the district, which was fantastic.

The Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), which encompasses parts of Zimbabwe, and South Africa, hosts globally significant populations of wild dogs. However, this fragile and enigmatic species is threatened in the Zimbabwean part of the GLTFCA, largely as a result of the Land Reform Program, which began in 2000.

Major threats include habitat loss and/or fragmentation, wire snaring, disease, prey depletion (through illegal and unsustainable bushmeat hunting as well as habitat loss), human persecution and competition with lions. Habitat loss has also caused a decline in genetic diversity and increasing genetic isolation of the population.

Having established and quantified the impact of the major threats to wild dog survival, this project aims to improve the of the wild dogs by mitigating these threats, through a combination of hands-on conservation work, policy intervention and education and outreach. Our overall goal is

To mitigate the major threats to wild dogs in the Zimbabwean part of the GLTFCA, whilst promoting the effectiveness of the transfrontier park for the conservation of the endangered African wild dog.

Specific objectives include: Monitoring existing wild dog populations for information on survival rates and population dynamics Investigating levels of genetic diversity and connectivity between populations Holding vaccination campaigns in domestic dog populations to reduce the threat from disease Supporting and extending current anti poaching efforts to reduce wild dog deaths in snares Expanding environmental education and community outreach efforts Investigating and enhancing the effectiveness of the GLTFCA for wild dog conservation

School children doing a food-chain project Rosemary de-snaring a wild dog

Conservation consequences This project will help to ensure the survival of the endangered African wild dog in the Zimbabwean part of the GLTFCA. Without such efforts, wild dogs will continue to decline through disease, snaring, persecution, habitat loss and natural inter-specific competition, and are very likely to become extirpated in all but the largest of the protected areas. Our vaccination campaigns and anti-poaching efforts will benefit conservation of all wildlife, and the establishment of long-term, sustainable environmental education programs will be of considerable benefit to conservation in the region for years to come.

Painted Dog Conservation

Wild Dog Project Namibia

The financial implications of the global recession knocked 75% of 2008/9 project funding, and resulted in a forced operational hiatus of 9 months. Since returning to operational capacity in May 2010 the Wild Dog Project is expanding its remit to include an exciting transboundary conservation initiative in collaboration with the Zambian Carnivore Programme in Kafue National Park, Zambia, and included a study on Cheetah conservation in this key . The recent acquisition of 14 Wild Dog pups excavated by local communities from farmlands at the western edge of the species‟ range has added fresh impetus to active management, and pressure for the development and implementation of a National Management Plan.

Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area Northern Kafue National Park and initial study area

Kafue National Park and Cheetah / Wild Dog Conservation Background: Isolated protected populations of wide ranging species living at naturally low densities are prone to localised extinction through the effects of human activities beyond park boundaries, even in vast wildlife managed areas exceeding10,000km2. Where populations exist largely outside protected areas, and in increasingly fragmented and degraded habitats, as is the case for African Wild Dogs in Namibia, extinction risks increase without connectivity to adjacent (viable) populations - the principle of source-sink dynamics. Conservation Priorities: The research has identified transfrontier conservation as a key requirement for maintaining the viability of Namibia‟s Wild Dog population - findings corroborated by conclusions of the IUCN Regionwide Conservation Planning Programme for Wild Dog and Cheetah. Planned Activities: Collect baseline data on population status and dynamics, conservation threats, and connectivity to adjacent populations, and in the longer term use this data to drive management planning and community outreach initiatives including, where appropriate, environmental education, anti-poaching and specialised tourism to increase the value of both species. Where we’re At: Research permits should soon be granted through the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), seed funding has been agreed with WWF Zambia, and an agreement has been reached for research base support with Wilderness Safari at their Lufupa River Camp. Kafue NP is vast and impassable for much of the year due to heavy rains and poor roads. It‟s thus almost impossible to comprehend undertaking meaningful research without extensive logistical support. So many thanks to Dean Martin at Wilderness Safaris for organising this. What We Need: Outstanding 2010/11 start-up and implementation costs of USD$43,000 are required. Namibian Update - Human-Wild Dog Conflict Management: Funding is still being sought to finish the human-wild dog conflict research and outreach in Ondjou Conservancy, Gam (the project was forced to sell its 23yr old Hilux 4x4 in 2009 to complete the fieldwork stage as the recession hit). We‟ve yet to replace it with a vehicle suitable for using in these remote communal areas. In 2008/9 the Ministry of Environment and Tourism suggested the Wild Dog Project look at the far western range of the Wild Dog population in the Kavango Region, where regular reports of sightings and persecution have emerged in recent years. While a formidable area to work in (degraded, prey reduced extensive farmlands), it represents the final barrier to a natural recolonisation of Etosha NP - a situation we had hoped for many years might occur without need for intervention, though now appearing increasingly improbable due to a reinforcement of existing barriers (expansion of human settlement and fast roads, prey reduction and widespread persecution). The project nonetheless engaged with the Namibian Development Corporation that manages the 300,000ha area to investigate conflict and management options. An agreement was reached to capture and collar a sample set of individuals for monitoring of livestock predation if the farm workers could identify an active den and leave it unmolested - the only realistic circumstances under which active intervention can occur. Complaints of livestock losses then tailed off and no word was heard from the local community for 10 months until we received a call that a den had been located in June, 14 pups excavated, and the adults chased off. Not what we were prepared for. A flurry of action commenced, and within 12hrs the pups were recovered by aircraft with the emergency assistance of Dr Rudi and Marlice Van Vuuren of N/a'an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary, where the pups now temporarily reside. A synopsis of this intervention, published in the Namibian National Press can be found on You Tube. Recovery of 14 Wild Dog pups, perhaps 3 weeks old, from the Kavango cattle ranches Captive Carnivore Management - a Position Statement by the Wild Dog Project: The Wild Dog Project strongly believes that predators and other wildlife have the right to exist, and be well-managed, in free-ranging areas, and only be taken into captivity under the most extreme of circumstances, and then only temporarily following a well planned management decision-making process. Far too many carnivores are removed unnecessarily from the wild, under the auspices of being ’saved’ into captivity for nothing short of misguided emotive or financial driven reasons, and doomed to spend the rest of their lives as lucrative fenced-in tourist attractions masquerading as conservation initiatives. Free-ranging population management, simultaneously the most cost effective and ethical way to conserve most species, suffers as funding is diverted into costly long-term captive projects that rarely have significant positive impacts on species free-ranging survival. This is recognised by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism here in Namibia, and regulations are being tightened to restrict and abolish many of these unhelpful practices. Plans for our Recovered Wild Dog Pups: At the onset of our intervention it was clearly understood between all stakeholders that this stock was destined for reintroduction, and must be managed optimally for that purpose, irrespective of cost. To the very significant credit of N/a‟an ku sê, all 14 pups have survived and are growing well, and now feeding on whole game carcasses with the minimal of direct human intervention and imprinting - critical to their chances of survival after reintroduction. Our motivation to avoid the captive management trap has generated a renewed push for development of a National Management Plan to allow for reintroduction of this stock into former range - specifically Etosha NP and the vast free-ranging wildlife areas of NW Namibia where populations of 4 other large carnivore species are flourishing under progressive community-based conservation management. Our Reintroduction Roadmap follows this approach: • Rear pups in accordance with best-practice guidelines for release - limited human interaction & whole carcass feeds in isolation of other captive facilities; • Secure political support for introduction, acquisition of additional suitable stock for pack formation, captive breeding and reintroduction; • Construct facilities for remote feeding and pack management, both ex situ and in situ; • Source additional suitable genetic stock for augmentation and formation of viable packs; • Undertake staggered soft-release of multiple viable packs following extensive outreach with bordering communities to limit human-induced persecution to sustainable levels; • Active post-release management of reintroduced packs to maximise probability of home range establishment, hunting success, anti-predator behaviour and breeding. Negotiations are underway with the Namibian Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, to continue assessment of the remaining Wild Dog Population in west Kavango with a view to ongoing outreach and, if necessary, intervention through removals of conflict packs destined for eradication. The Wild Dog Project provided training in basic monitoring techniques of Wild Dog ecology to section staff at their field headquarters earlier in July, and also to Ministry of Environment and Tourism staff at the newly proclaimed Mangetti National Park 50km to the NE, with a view to developing a better understanding of Wild Dog status and management options in these periphery areas. The project is likely to expand operations in this area in due course with a view to securing suitable stock for translocation to safer areas.

Sir Richard Branson

Painted Dog Conservation Inc (PDC Inc) is excited to announce that Sir Richard Branson now officially endorses the activities of PDC Inc! We are looking forward to working closely with Sir Richard‟s “Virgin Unite” group in the future.

Many, many thanks goes to the staff at Virgin Unite who have been instrumental in assisting us in establishing this partnership.

Sir Richard Branson is Founder of the Virgin Group. Virgin is one of the world‟s most recognised and respected brands and has expanded into many diverse sectors from air and ground travel to telecommunications, health, space travel and renewable energy through more than 200 companies worldwide, employing approximately 50,000 people in 29 countries.

In 2004, Richard established Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group. It mobilises the talent and resources from across the Virgin Group and beyond, to tackle tough social and environmental problems in an entrepreneurial way. It is built on the belief that, the only way we can address the scale of the challenges facing the world today is by revolutionising the way businesses, government and the social sector work together – driving business as a force for good. Virgin Unite works with the Virgin businesses to put people and planet at their core. Richard has been working closely with Virgin Unite to bring together the right partners to help create new global leadership models to address conflict, climate change and disease.

Richard and his close friend, Peter Gabriel, had an idea about the need for a new leadership model for our „global village‟. Inspired by the role that elders play in traditional societies, as a source of advice, wisdom and experience, they took the idea to Nelson Mandela and were thrilled when he agreed to help bring a group of „global elders‟ together. Founded in 2007 with the support of Virgin Unite and a great group of partners, The Elders comprises ten visionary leaders including Graça Machel, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan and President Carter. They work both publicly and behind the scenes, collectively and individually, in areas of conflict such as; Kenya, Cyprus, Darfur and Zimbabwe and also work on a number of global issues, such as health and gender equality. In 2009, Richard brought together a group of the world‟s top entrepreneurs to initiate the Carbon War Room. The vision is to mobilise capital, innovation, expertise and international collaboration to increase the effectiveness of climate change efforts already underway and to focus on filling any gaps. These keen entrepreneurial minds will work together to help speed and scale solutions that will deliver a low carbon economy. Richard and Virgin Unite also support a number of initiatives that lead to economic empowerment and healthy communities. These initiatives range from; the creation of sustainable healthcare models in Africa, to supporting young entrepreneurs through the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in South Africa, to creating opportunities for vulnerable and at-risk young people in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.

Richard is married to his wife Joan and they have two wonderful children, Holly and Sam. Branson was awarded a Knighthood in 1999 and became Sir Richard Branson for his contribution to entrepreneurship.

In 2011, Sir Richard has endorsed Painted Dog Conservation Inc and our activities. "I am proud to endorse the activities of Painted Dog Conservation Incorporated, and encourage you to support their cause to prevent the extinction of this unique species."

ZEBRA’S DINNER EVENT-1ST APRIL, 2011

On the 1st April, 2011, Painted Dog Conservation Inc hosted a Dinner event at Zebra‟s Steakhouse in Bicton. Over 70 guests were in attendance to hear John Lemon give an update on our recent activities and growth in Zambia, in addition to our support of a new project in Zimbabwe (see separate story) and also the exciting news that Sir Richard Branson now officially endorses PDC Inc! (see story in newsletter).

As always, Nicholas Duncan from SAVE Foundation entertained the crowd with his Auctioneering skills-over $8,000 was raised on the night! In addition, all PDC Inc Life Members were presented with a bottle of wine to show our gratitude!

Thanks to all members and guests who attended and participated in the evening‟s activities!

African Painted Dog Workshop Pittsburgh

In April 2011, Chairman John Lemon was invited and sponsored by Pittsburgh Zoo to attend the African Painted Dog Workshop to present a paper on PDC Inc. This is the first workshop focusing on African painted dogs to bring together international conservationists from Africa as well as from zoos in North America, Europe, and Australia. The workshop was held at the Pittsburgh Zoo on Thursday, April 14th, and then on Friday, April 15th it was held at the zoo‟s new 724-acre International Conservation Centre, dedicated to breeding endangered species, including African painted dogs.

Speakers included researchers, keepers, caregivers, veterinarians and others with papers based on all aspects of painted dog care and management, both in captivity and in the field. Discussions also included the status of the dogs in the wild, field projects, captive husbandry, and veterinary care. Many thanks go to the Pittsburgh Zoo for their support and in particular Dr Barbara Baker CEO Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, Ken Kaemmerer Mammal Curator, Karen Vacco Assistant Mammal Curator and Terry Deluliis PA to the CEO.

John presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium CEO Dr Barbara Baker

Afriqan Times Australia

The Afriqan Times is a new multi-media conceived to project the character and spirit of Africans in Australia and around the world. The past decade has seen tens of thousands of Africans integrating into Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Before the last decade, there were others who also made Australia their home. They have made, and continue to make significant contributions to economic growth, intellectual development and cultural diversity. The Afriqan Times is a unique platform for such pioneers and countless others whose collective experiences embody life in the 21st century. Operating from Perth in Western Australia, Afriqan Times Australia will reflect accurately the aspirations of the Australian community with an African flavour, and a tasteful reach to people everywhere. They constantly feature variety of news on politics, business, sports, fashion and entertainment. Regular profiles will reveal ordinary people doing extraordinary things to make a difference. They are committed to contributing to the richness of life, and beyond that, truly stand up to the challenges of our times. Thanks to Len Fretwell and Lena Kozak-Fretwell who assisted in showcasing PDC Inc in the latest June edition see attached link http://issuu.com/afriqantimesmagazine/docs/afriqan_times_magazine_- _june To subscribe to the Afriqan Times magazine, please follow this link; http://www.afriqantimes.com/temp/subscribe.html

National Threatened Species Day Perth Zoo On 12 September PDC Inc joined other conservation groups at Perth Zoo on National Threatened Species Day to show case and discuss the work that we undertake to Zoo visitors. Our thanks must go to Perth Zoo for allowing us the opportunity to attend. It is a savouring thought to find increased interest in Painted Dogs and their plight, particularly from the younger generations. We recruited a few new members on the day, in addition to generating awareness of the plight of the Painted Dogs.

6 August 2010 Freshwater Bay Room Hyatt Hotel It was a great pleasure that Painted Dog Conservation Inc announced the return of Tony Park to Perth in 2010. Now an annual event, over 60 people joined us for drinks and canapés for the launch of Tony‟s new book “The Delta”, in which Chairman John Lemon, and ongoing supporter Syd Chipchase, are characters. Please read the below for a “taste” of “The Delta”: After a failed assassination attempt on the president of Zimbabwe, ex-soldier turned mercenary Sonja Kurtz is on the run and heads for her only place of refuge, the Okavango Delta in the heart of . She‟s looking to rekindle a romance with her childhood sweetheart, safari camp manager Sterling Smith, and desperately wants a fresh start and to leave her perilous warrior lifestyle behind. But Sonja discovers her beloved Delta is on the brink of destruction. She is recruited as an “eco- commando” in a bid to halt a project that will destroy forever the Delta‟s fragile network of swamps and waterways. Soon Sonja finds herself caught in a deadly web of intrigue involving Sterling, the handsome Martin Steele – her mercenary commander, and a TV heartthrob and wildlife documentary presenter “Coyote” Sam Chapman who blunders out of the bush in a reality show gone wrong. Instead of escaping her violent past, Sonja is now surrounded by men who are relying on her killer instincts to save the day. Where she came to find peace, she finds war... and it is not just the survival of the Delta that is at stake. Not only did guests have the chance to listen to Tony‟s update on his sojourn throughout Southern Africa and his subsequent inspiration to write “The Delta”, but all in attendance had the opportunity to purchase personally signed copies, hot off the press. As always, Tony had “a chat” with everyone and great stories to tell. In addition, the evening provided the perfect opportunity to launch our “Life Membership” and “Pack Adoption” programs

Go Wild on the Catwalk In August 2010, PDC Inc was contacted by Brooke Armour of National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra. We were invited to their Fundraising Event “Go Wild on the Catwalk” on the 29th October, 2010 – this was a function to raise both awareness and funds for our beloved Painted Dogs. This was the first Interstate Painted Dog Conservation Inc event-we were thrilled at the opportunity to meet like minded individuals who are as passionate about the Painted Dogs as we are, and were motivated to organise a high profile fundraising evening. The evening commenced with a Fashion Parade showcasing the latest designs by ACT designers. John then took centre stage to do a presentation on Painted Dog Conservation Inc.and all of our achievements so far, and where we are heading. The event concluded with both a silent and live Auction, with funds being raised for PDC Inc. Many thanks also to Chris and Margie McClelland who generously donated one of their prints for the evening. In addition, we met local artist Stephanie Melville, who has a passion for African wildlife and was displaying her works on the evening. She is also passionate about Painted Dogs, and her work can be viewed at www.jozani4animals.com.au Our thanks go to the National Zoo and Aquarium Staff Trent and Shelley Russell (Directors), David Blogg (General Manager), Brooke Armour, Saira Mueller, Aadnan Mueller, Marnie Pegram, Tahlee Stacey, Yvonne Bennett, Michael Beer, Brendan Sheean and Darcy Ginty for the hospitality and efforts. The National Zoo & Aquarium is Australia‟s only combined Zoo and Aquarium. That‟s 2 attractions in one! They are situated on around 7 hectares of land just five minutes from the centre of Canberra. With a wide variety of both native and exotic animals, as well as the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia, there is something for everyone. Their animal encounters provide visitors with an opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world‟s most amazing creatures!

John with the models

John presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to Brooke Armour

John being interviewed by a Local production company