In a remarkable step toward restoring Uganda’s lost biodiversity, the CTC Conservation Center has launched an ambitious project to bring back the African wild dog. These species vanished from the country more than half a century ago. Once a common predator across the savannahs and woodlands of East Africa, African wild dogs, also known as painted wolves for their striking fur patterns, were declared locally extinct in Uganda sometime around the 1960s. Today, a private conservation initiative is giving them a second chance.
The effort is being led by Thomas Price, a Ugandan conservationist and founder of the CTC Conservation Center. Price is spearheading the reintroduction by importing African wild dogs from a conservation facility in South Africa. His goal is to establish a sustainable, captive-managed breeding population within Uganda. While this first phase of the project will focus on breeding and careful monitoring, the ultimate vision is to reintroduce these endangered animals into protected wild habitats where they once roamed freely.
The CTC Conservation Center, founded in 2015, is no stranger to wildlife protection. Located in Uganda, the center is dedicated to breeding and wildlife education, playing a growing role in species recovery efforts. Its work aligns with national conservation goals and is conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, as well as the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Together, they are exploring the possibilities for future releases of the wild dogs into areas that can sustain healthy populations and minimize human-wildlife conflict.
The return of African wild dogs represents more than a species comeback—it’s a symbol of Uganda’s renewed commitment to wildlife conservation and ecological restoration. With careful planning, public support, and scientific oversight, this initiative could pave the way for other rewilding projects across the region.
