Noticing that he had an audience, Taru landed the helicopter, stepped back, and invited the dogs to satisfy their curiosity. He took these lovely photos as they poked around for a bit, then saw them off into the sunset.

African wild dogs are critically endangered — fewer than 7,000 remain across all of Africa. As part of our field work, we closely monitor local populations.

These dogs are a living, breathing testament to the impact of long-term field conservation. 20 years ago, when we started working in the Northern Area of Tsavo East National Park, it was rare to see a single African wild dog. They are vulnerable to snares, human-wildlife conflict, and disease, and illegal activities in the area had taken their toll on the species.

In partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, we started extensive anti-poaching operations in the Northern Area, installing teams in the landscape and conducting regular ground and aerial patrols. By removing snares and reducing threats across the ecosystem, we helped create an environment where the dogs could rebound. We continue to closely monitor local populations, in case there are any health issues or other concerns.

Two decades later, the Northern Area is home to several healthy African wild dog packs. To go from barely a single sighting to packs numbering in the dozens is a wonderful testament to how our anti-poaching efforts are paying off.