One the world's most endangered carnivores, the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) once ranged widely throughout sub-Saharan Africa in 39 countries, but today may be found in only 14 with perhaps no more than 3,000 - 5,500 remaining. Their dramatic decline is largely due to human persecution and habitat fragmentation.

The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Canid Specialist Group, and American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) Canid and Hyaenid Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) regard African wild dogs as a high priority species.

The African Wild Dog Conservancy is a registered nonprofit dedicated to working with local communities, and national and international stakeholders to conserve wild dogs through scientific research and education.

Their objectives are to: Establish and support long-term conservation programs involving local communities in research and education, develop and implement a collaborative multidisciplinary program integrating applied field and captive conservation research and facilitate development programs aimed at improving the lives of local people by building partnerships with community-based organizations and NGOs.

The African Wild Dog Conservancy have been studying African wild dogs for over a decade and are among the world's leading experts on this endangered species.