What we do
The Dhole Conservation Fund works with a variety of different partners and projects. Our partners range from zoological institutes, NGOs, international societies, government agencies and individual researchers and conservationist. We work on many different areas of dhole conservation. Education and research are major focuses of our conservation research. We do prioritize are focuses on areas where dhole research or conservation are not well established. Although this does mean we work outside the dhole’s strong hold areas, the hope is to highlight the importance of these other areas and try and get a better picture of dhole ecology as a whole. Does this mean we won’t fund or work on projects inside the well-established areas? Of course not, especially if the project can yield results that can aid in helping out projects in other areas. This can be conflict resolution ideas, community outreach or field techniques.
History Timeline
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2017: An idea and three years of planning and training with start up donation we became non-profit corporation in California. 2018: After working on mission statements and assembling a board with different backgrounds to best give the Fund the best chance at thriving we filed and received our 501.c.3. This allowed us to apply for grants and funding, but also help with giving tax deductible donation letters. 2018: Founder volunteers on a dhole research project in Thailand. 2018: Help fund a small local Thailand project. Help with the publication of a wild dhole photobook to be sold in nation parks to bring a better appreciation for these often-unknown dogs. 2019: Returned to Thailand to in provided input for the IUCN Dhole Population and Habitat Viability meeting. The week summit aided in figuring out not just habitat but also idea the conservation problems found for dholes. The problems were broken down by region and we tried to identify areas of greatest need. Dhole Conservation Fund was tasked with helping promote a more western awareness of dholes and their conservation needs and efforts. 2019: Funded the travel expenses of a researcher that was accepted to present their findings and paper in a conference in Europe. 2020: Launched the home and dhole information hub dholes.org. This current website allows for is to find and read information about dholes. While also allowing people easily find the Dhole Conservation Fund. 2020: COVID SHUT DOWN 2020: Through 2020 we waited to see what would happen globally. Up to this point we had been in talks with a few small projects throughout the dhole’s home range on their needs and ideas for dhole projects in their parks and region. Unfortunately, 2020 saw Covid-19 hit southeast Asia extremely hard. Field efforts halted. Towards the end of the year, we realized this was not going to blow over anytime soon and not sure when global travel and work would open up again we switched gears. We started to look into expanding our education beyond just our website. 2021: Hire professional conservation educators to develop programs for K to 12th grade levels that educators can do on their own in the classroom. We also opened up to do virtual presentations for all ages and levels. 2021: We celebrate our first World Dhole Day in the US. 2021: Team up with Amazing AZ animal books to help with content for The Dedicated Dhole. 2022: Gave out 20 copies of the Dedicated Dhole to zoos and wildlife education groups around the world. 2022: World Dhole Day turns into a true global event. Not only an increase effort in the US but it also moved into Europe! |
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Sponsors
The following are those that help finically support Dhole Conservation Fund efforts and our projects.
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Zoo Grandy located Québec, Canada is an AZA facility that supports wild dhole conservation. They are in the process of building a brand new dhole habitat. They will be the 6th dhole facility in North America and hopefully will bring some much needed new genetics to the North American captive population.
Amazing A to Z book company published an amazing kids book with a story featuring dholes. The story called the dedicated dhole follows a pack of dholes and how the survive as a family. Amazing A to Z donates a portion of all sales to the Dhole Conservation Fund. Its a win-win, there is now a children's story with dholes in a positive light and by reading kids are helping wild dhole conservation.
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IUCN Dhole Working Group
The Dhole Conservation Fund is not part of the IUCN Dhole Working Group but we do help them with their efforts and we get invited to participate in a few of their meetings. Many of our partners are part of the Dhole Working Group.
2023 the Dhole Working Group is looking to do an in-person meeting with one of the main goal is to update the IUCN Red List for dholes, last time it was done was 2015! The IUCN Red List is often considered the official count and conservation status excepted the world over.
To learn more about the Dhole Working Group click the learn more button or you can support the efforts by clicking the donate button.
2023 the Dhole Working Group is looking to do an in-person meeting with one of the main goal is to update the IUCN Red List for dholes, last time it was done was 2015! The IUCN Red List is often considered the official count and conservation status excepted the world over.
To learn more about the Dhole Working Group click the learn more button or you can support the efforts by clicking the donate button.
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World Dhole Day Partners
The following partners help with promoting and educating people about dholes during the special World Dhole Day.
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Zoo Miami
Minnesota Zoo The Wilds JAB Canid Conservation Center Learn more about World Dhole Day and how to get involved find the days event page here. |
Photo from ZooMiami WDD 2022
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Future growth
Our second World Dhole Day in 2022 saw a lot of growth in the US and Europe. We tested out new educational and promotion products. With feedback from our partners, we hope to make these even better and then get them translated and distributed out to dhole range countries for future years of World Dhole Day. We hope to get some of the bigger organizations like WWF to also promote the day.
Our second World Dhole Day in 2022 saw a lot of growth in the US and Europe. We tested out new educational and promotion products. With feedback from our partners, we hope to make these even better and then get them translated and distributed out to dhole range countries for future years of World Dhole Day. We hope to get some of the bigger organizations like WWF to also promote the day.
Field Partners
Dholes in Cambodia
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The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation protects an 18,000 hectare concession in the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia, the concession is home to many species and provides a vital corridor between Botum Sakor National Park and Southern Cardamoms National Park. While the Foundation’s primary concern is the elephants that use the corridor the rangers are under instruction to protect all species and camera trapping efforts have revealed a resident & breeding dhole population.
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Use the button to the right to make a direct donation to the Cambodia dhole program. We cover all fees to get the full funds directly to Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation.
You can visit their site at: www.helpingelephants.org |
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Dholes in Nepal
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The Friends of Nature Nepal (FoN Nepal) currently have two projects that have the potential to impact dholes. One is an ecological study where locals reported seeing dholes with the potential of conflict. The other is directly addressing conflict needs and understanding in areas with not just dholes but other endangered wildlife.
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Use the button to the right to make a direct donation to the Nepal dhole program. We cover all fees to get the full funds directly to Friends of Nature Nepal.
You can visit their webpage at: Friends of Nature Nepal |
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Our Dhole conservation project spans three landscapes in Nepal, each with its unique importance for dhole conservation. Our projects prioritize communities as the key stakeholders. Through sound research, community engagement, and habitat protection, we are dedicated to ensuring the survival of this endangered species in these critical areas.
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Use the button to the right to make a direct donation to the Nepal dhole program. We cover all fees to get the full funds directly to Nature Conservation and Study Center
You can visit their webpage at: NCSC - Nature Conservation and Study Center |
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Education Partners
We have been able to aid teacher in the classroom with our education lesson plans. The plans have been used by teachers of all grade levels, and we are always improving them with the feedback we receive. We also expanded our virtual presentations, doing on average 3 a month during the school year between 2021 and 2022. The presentations were from 3rd grade up to adults who were just interested in learning about a new species. All programs are free of charge to allow all accessibility to the material, this is all possible due to our amazing supporters and donors.
