About

Vision

Conserving the Waterberg Wild Dogs.

The Waterberg Wild Dog Initiative (WWDI) is a community-driven, locally-based, non-profit organization aiming to conserve the free-roaming African Wild Dog population in the Waterberg, Limpopo. The WWDI works alongside the community to provide education and raise awareness about the population, monitor and collect data on the population, implement projects to mitigate threats to their conservation, and promote the ecotourism potential of African wild dogs in the Waterberg.

The Waterberg Wild Dog Initiative was founded in August 2020 as a conservation project underneath the Waterberg Development Initiative NPC.
In September 2022, the WWDI became its own registered Non-Profit Company (Reg 2022/711926/08).

A small, dedicated, and passionate team runs the daily operations of the Waterberg Wild Dog Initiative.

Clinton Venter

Field Officer

Clinton first knew he wanted to work with animals from a young age, when he became fascinated with pangolins. During his further studies, Clinton pursued qualifications as a field guide, which allowed him to recognize his second passion: working with people. In 2021, he joined the WWDI team to help facilitate its 2021 Ecotourism Project on a temporary basis. After the completion of the project, he was employed as a lodge manager in the Waterberg and remained a passionate advocate for Waterberg Wild Dog conservation. Clinton re-joined the WWDI team, on a permanent basis, in February 2023.

Mari-Su de Villiers

Project Coordinator

Mari-Su is a passionate conservationist, with a keen interest in wildlife behavior and research. Mari-Su holds an MSc degree in Wildlife Science from the University of the Free State. Her project, titled “Free-roaming leopards (Panthera pardus) in an agricultural dominated, mountainous landscape, Western Cape” looked at free-roaming leopard movements in the Piketberg region of South Africa. Mari-Su joined the team in June 2024 as the Project Coordinator for the WWDI.

The Board of Directors oversees the operations of the Waterberg Wild Dog Initiative. Directors serve on a voluntary basis to volunteer their time, skills, and expertise to guide the operations of the WWDI.

Reilly Mooney

Director

Reilly is the former Project Coordinator for the WWDI and has been involved with the WWDI since its inception in August 2020. Reilly is currently pursuing her MSc degree in Nature Conservation through Nelson Mandela University.

Michael Embleton

Director

Michael is a community member living within the TOOG Pack's Home Range and has been involved with the WWDI since its inception in August 2020.

André Burger

Director

Andre is the Chief Executive Officer of Welgevonden Game Reserve near Vaalwater and has been involved with the WWDI since its inception in August 2020.

Proudly Sponsored By

Toyota SA Motors

Toyota SA is supporting the conservation of the Waterberg Wild Dogs by providing a 2023 Toyota Hilux DC 4x4 and operational funding to the WWDI. Their support enables the WWDI to play an active role in tracking and monitoring the Waterberg Wild Dog population. Toyota SA has supported the WWDI since 2021!

Proudly Supported by

The Kendziorski Family

The Kendziorski Family from the United States of America has been a proud supporter of the Waterberg Wild Dog Initiative (WWDI) since 2022. Their generosity has enabled the WWDI to expand its efforts to conserve African wild dogs in the Waterberg. Thank you to the Kendziorski Family for their incredible support, generosity, and passion for African wild dogs and their conservation!