26/08/2026
African painted wolves, also known as wild dogs, know a thing or two about teamwork. Protecting them takes the same.
This World Wild Dog Day, we’re sharing encouraging news from the Samburu-Laikipia Wild Dog Project. After years of recovery following the devastating canine distemper outbreak of 2017, wild dogs are once again expanding across northern Kenya.
By the end of 2025, around 10 packs – an estimated 90 to 100 wild dogs – were being monitored across Laikipia, Isiolo and Samburu. Since then, new packs have formed, with three newly established groups collared and sightings increasing further north into former range.
Today, five collared packs are being actively monitored through EarthRanger, helping researchers from the Samburu-Laikipia Wild Dog Project and Mpala Research Centre understand their movements, survival and family dynamics.
Through our Footprint Trust, with the generous support of our guests and backing from The Safari Collection, we donated USD 90,000 in 2025 to the project that has helped fund vital vaccinations, collars, monitoring, outreach and operational costs across Samburu and Laikipia. Because giving wild dogs the space to roam is helping their story take a hopeful turn.
Learn more via the link in bio.