Painted Dog Conservation
Join us on Saturday, August 13, 2022 in welcoming guest speaker Wilton Nsimango from Zimbabwe’s non-profit Painted Dog Conservation!
Nsimango came to the Utica Zoo back in 2019 before we welcomed our African Painted Dogs, and we are excited to welcome him back this year! Painted Dog Conservation’s mission “is to create an environment where painted dogs can thrive.” They are on the front lines of protecting this unique, endangered species so that their populations can grow back to what they once were. To learn more about Painted Dog Conservation, click the button below:
Painted Dog Conservation Day Features:
Junior Ranger Station: Located in the center of the zoo near the temporary gift shop/auditorium, visit an activity table for children to complete various activities and earn a junior ranger sticker.
School and Art Supplies Collection: We will be collecting school supplies (pens, pencils, whiteboard markers, and notebooks) to donate to Painted Dog Conservation for their educational “bush camps.” At these camps, kids learn about the importance of the local wildlife of Zimbabwe.
Electronics Drive: In support of Painted Dog Conservation’s work, we will be accepting old laptops or unlocked phones for donation as well!
Snare Wire Art: Support the Zimbabwe-based Painted Dog Conservation organization by purchasing snare wire art. This unique offering emphasizes the threat to many African species. The art – made from snares that often trap Painted Dogs – is shaped to looked like the dogs themselves!
Gift Shop Donation Drive: Be sure to stop by our Gift Shop to purchase some painted dog related items! The Utica Zoo will be donating 10% of all the proceeds from these items to Painted Dog Conservation!
Event Schedule:
ALL DAY – Sidewalk Chalk Quiz Trail & African Carnivore Conservation Information Board
10:30AM – 4:00PM – Conservation Shop with Snare Wire Art & Junior Ranger Station
10:30AM – African Lion Enrichment
11:30AM – African Painted Dog Talk and Enrichment at Habitat
1:00PM – Keynote Speaker Wilton Nsimango in Rotary Pavilion
2:00PM – Striped Hyena Enrichment
3:00PM – Keeper Talk: African Painted Dogs vs Higher Predators Talk at African Lion Habitat
Photos from Wilton Nsimango's visit in 2019
