
ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (March 16, 2023) — Dr Greg Rasmussen of the Painted Dog Research Trust, PDRT, in Zimbabwe will present a free lecture at noon Friday, March 17, at Augustana College’s Hanson Hall, Room 234.
Dr Rasmussen will present the current state of the painted-dog population, pressing threats of their survival, and the tireless efforts of PDRT to save them from extinction.
Jointly hosted by Augustana’s environmental studies and biology departments as well as Niabi Zoo, the event is open to students, faculty, and staff.
A 2023 Indianapolis Prize nominee and founder and executive director of PDRT, Dr Rasmussen has studied the African painted dog in Zimbabwe for over thirty years, resulting in the longest study into this endangered species.
He formed PDRT to study these top-level predators and their role in the local ecosystem's health. He works with local residents to help understand their relationship to the dogs and work with them on protecting these endangered canines. Additionally, he supervises student research for local students as well as international college students.