Q3 2025 Impact Report: A Quarter of Renewal, Resilience, and Wildlife Conservation Wins

Across Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Colombia, this past quarter has been defined by collaboration, courage, and the kind of long-term wildlife conservation work that truly influences the future of wild habitats.

From restoring predator diversity to strengthening ranger forces, from deepening scientific research to supporting global conservation partners, the wildlife conservation successes reported in our Q3 2025 Impact Report reflect a powerful truth: when people come together for wildlife, extraordinary change is possible.

Below are the highlights of this impactful quarter.

PROJECT REWILD

Wildlife Translocations & Post-Release Monitoring

One of the most meaningful achievements for wildlife conservation this quarter was the successful release of 17 painted dogs – 8 adults and 9 pups – into the Sapi Reserve. This milestone is part of our long-term commitment to rebuilding predator diversity and stabilising painted dog populations in this landscape.

This specific painted dog population in southern Zimbabwe had been moving through livestock areas, causing conflict. Earlier this year, the entire pack was safely relocated to the Sapi Reserve, managed by Great Plains, as part of Project Rewild, our initiative to restore ecological balance through science-led wildlife translocations.

“This wasn’t a simple relocation. It was a mission filled with unexpected turns, including the birth of puppies mid-operation, and countless moments of determination and care from a dedicated team of conservationists. Today, these dogs are running free in a protected area, learning to hunt in a new landscape, strengthening their fragile bloodlines, and carving out a hopeful future.”
— Dereck Joubert, Co-founder of Great Plains Foundation.

We are grateful to the many partners who made this possible: Zimparks, Great Plains Conservation, African Wildlife Management & Conservation (AWMC), Dr. Jacqueline and Josh Mostert, NJ LaGrange, Grand Air Charters, and our Great Plains family.

Project Rewild also strengthened the prey base for large carnivores by translocating an additional 479 impalas into the Sapi Reserve and surrounding regions. Today, the pack of painted dogs is showing promising stability –  seven adults and nine pups – with encouraging movement patterns from Sapi Reserve to Chewore North along the Zambezi River. Our team continues monitoring efforts through carefully collected DNA and hormone samples, with minimal disturbance to the animals.

To learn more about the Sapi Restoration Initiative, click here.

APPLIED WILDLIFE CONSERVATION RESEARCH

Dedicated Scientific Research on Critical Species

African Wild Dogs — Mid-Zambezi, Zimbabwe

In partnership with Painted Dog Conservation and WildCRU (Oxford University), PhD candidate and Great Plains Foundation Ecologist, Thomas Mutonhori, continues his study on the stability of the translocated painted dog pack, genetic diversity, and interactions with lions and hyenas. This quarter, Thomas collected essential DNA and hormone samples while tracking pack behaviour.

“It’s a privilege to dedicate my research to the conservation of the endangered African wild dog… I hope to inspire future generations and contribute to evidence-based management actions that will secure the long-term future of this iconic species.”
— Thomas Mutonhori

African Savanna Elephants — Mid-Zambezi, Zimbabwe

Research continued on the ranging patterns and health of translocated elephants, including the collection of dung samples to assess hormones and reproductive status.

Large Herbivore Grazing Behaviour — Okavango Delta, Botswana

A two-year study is underway to determine the ecological carrying capacity of the Duba Concession. This quarter focused on foundational work: site visits, engagement with field teams, understanding ecosystem dynamics, camera-trap positioning, and planning research logistics.

ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION

Monitoring Biodiversity & Mitigating Illegal Activity

Zimbabwe & Botswana

Great Plains Wildlife Rangers continued their daily patrols across 694,471 acres of critical ecosystems in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Their work includes species monitoring, vegetation assessments, flood-level tracking, and continuous vigilance against illegal activity.

This quarter in Zimbabwe, ranger teams conducted elephant monitoring, welcomed the newly translocated painted dogs, and carried out a bird survey to enhance understanding of avian diversity. Using the BirdLasser app, rangers recorded sightings to create species-distribution maps that inform conservation decisions.

In both countries, combined helicopter, vehicle, and boat patrols proved vital in identifying illegal fishing and poaching threats. Notably:

• Arrests were made

• 14 illegal fishing lines were recovered

• Confiscations and net destructions 

Rangers in Botswana also discovered elephant and lion mortalities, prompting investigations to understand threats, an essential part of ranger-led ecological protection.

OUR GLOBAL GRANT PROGRAMMES

Great Plains Foundation Supporting Conservation Organisations Across Africa & Worldwide

Big Cats Initiative

Fundación Proyecto Primates (FPP), Colombia
FPP is monitoring jaguars in the Barbacoas region to understand spatial distribution, prey availability, and community perceptions. Funding supported 26 camera traps and field assistant costs. Read more here.

Tsavo Cheetah Project, Kenya
The Tsavo Cheetah Project works to protect the cheetah population of the Tsavo ecosystem. Camera-trap funding enabled the identification of 14 individual adult cheetahs, including eight adult males, six adult females, and two females with cubs under 6 months old.

WASIMA, Tanzania
Working with pastoral communities to improve lion-human coexistence, WASIMA built 15 lion-proof bomas, securing 682 livestock for 200 community members, and delivered workshops reaching 5,290 people.

Project Ranger

Anti-Poaching Tracking Specialists (ATS), Zimbabwe
ATS continued strong anti-poaching operations in the Savé Valley Conservancy, home to 25% of Zimbabwe’s black rhino. Rangers removed snares, made arrests, and worked to mitigate threats during the challenging dry season.

Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ), Zambia
CLZ patrols and aerial surveillance were strengthened, alongside VHF communication upgrades to support landscape-level protection.

Bumi Hills Anti-Poaching Unit, Zimbabwe
The team made two arrests, removed 684 snares, and confiscated 40 fishing nets totalling 12,400 metres, each item removed representing a life saved.

None of these achievements – protected acres, rescued animals, thriving communities, or groundbreaking research – would be possible without the dedication of our partners, supporters and Earth Partners.

Thank you for standing with us to protect the wild

To learn more or to get involved, please get in touch with us at info@greatplainsfoundation.org