About Us
The main activities of the Canid Specialist Group include the compilation, synthesis and dissemination of canid related information through strategic planning and resulting Action Plans. Our main dissemination channels include Canid Biology & Conservation, an electronic, peer-reviewed journal, and Canids-L, a mailing list exclusively devoted to Canid biology and conservation with 800+ current members. We maintain a database of current canid research and conservation projects, which will be accessible through this website shortly.
The Chair of the CSG relies on advice from the membership-at-large, and has appointed but two Special Advisers and a small group of Core Members (which include the coordinators of all Working Groups) with whom he consults on specific issues. The CSG holds opportunistic meetings of CSG members alongside international conferences.
The objectives of the CSG are:
To compile, synthesize and disseminate information on the conservation and status of all canid species across their range, with particular emphasis on species which are threatened or rare.
To provide and improve technical information and advice on all matters concerning wild canids, including their status in the wild; the threats they face and their conservation requirements; biology and natural history to the following:
- range state government agencies;
- non-governmental organizations, including national and international organizations and potential funding bodies;
- inter-governmental organizations (e.g. IUCN, CITES);
- field projects concerned with canid conservation.
Special effort will be made to target outputs in a manner that meet the needs of the above institutions and agencies.
To promote and catalyse conservation activities benefitting wild canids, to be carried out by the above, prioritizing and coordinating efforts of researchers and conservationists worldwide.
To help raise funding for canid research and conservation and undertake research directly when necessary or appropriate.
To improve management of the common and sometimes troublesome species.
