About Us

The Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP), formerly African Wild Dog Conservation (AWDC), is a non-profit charitable trust originally established to conserve the endangered African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) population in Zambia.

The organization was founded by Dr Kellie Leigh who commenced research in the Lower Zambezi after recognizing the critical need to understand the plight of the African Wild Dog and ensure their survival as well as conserve vital habitat for this and other species in the region.

In 2009, the organization expanded to a broad-based, large carnivore conservation programme in collaboration with the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) that spans across protected areas in Zambia including the Luangwa Valley, Liuwa National Park, Kafue National Park and the Bangweulu wetlands. In addition to ecological research on wilddogs, lions, cheetah, leopard and hyena, ZCP is carrying out conservation education and community awareness programs to reduce direct and indirect persecution of carnivores and degradation of their habitat, as well as working with project partners in anti-poaching and snare removal activities.