The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores, Red Listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species. African Wild Dog Conservation (AWDC) is a non-profit organization established to conserve the endangered African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) population in Zambia, one of only six remaining countries with large populations of wild dogs.

AWDC commenced conservation research in 1999 in the Lower Zambezi National Park, recognising the need to understand the plight of the African Wild Dog to ensure its survival and ultimately to conserve vital habitat for this and other species in the region. In 2000, AWDC received not-for-profit status under the Zambian Societies Act, allowing the organisation to commence international fundraising efforts to support this vital research.

AWDC has since expanded its study area from the Lower Zambezi National Park, through connecting Game Management Areas into the South Luangwa National Park. Work is now centred on establishing a large population of wild dogs in Eastern Zambia throughout this protected area network, in partnership with the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA).