News and Media Releases

Students from Belair Primary School have found creative ways to help African wild dogs, writes Clare Peddie

In collaboration with Monarto Zoo and the organisation for Painted Dog Conservation, students from Belair Primary built a jigsaw to share their knowledge with others, made toys filled with rhino poo and raised money for Zimbabwean children to enjoy seeing the dogs in the wild.

Earthcare teacher Andy Coleman says the activities are part of Monarto Zoo's Planet Keeper program, which has raised money for conservation work and provided opportunities for students to learn and experience animals from all over the world.

Erin, 13, says her school raised money so that children in Zimbabwe could also learn about the dogs.

"They can tell people in their home about the African painted dog, that they are good to have around," she says. "People are scared that the dogs are going to kill their livestock. Some people think they are really ugly animals but I think they are really nice-looking and the sounds that they make are really cute," she says.

"It's fascinating to learn how they eat and what they do. They don't bark, they make sounds like dolphins."

The patron of Painted Dog Conservation Inc, Dr Luke Hunter, visited Adelaide for National Science Week. He gave a talk about the cats of Africa that are in peril at the University of Adelaide yesterday.