ANTI-POACHING K9s: A RANGER’S BEST FRIEND IN THE FIGHT FOR RHINOS
On International Dog Day, as we celebrate our beloved furry companions at home, we take this day to honor the brave rhino anti-poaching K9 team who we support in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa. This team responds, often in the middle of the night, to track and apprehend rhino poachers. As you read our latest blog post, we hope you take a moment to appreciate the incredible dogs that work alongside rangers as protectors of rhinos and their wild spaces in South Africa.
Captain & Chief, two of the hero anti-poaching K9s at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, together with their dedicated handlers, working together to stop rhino poaching.
As the animal lovers amongst us know so well, a dog is truly our best friend. They are part of the family, they live in our homes (and in our beds!) and bring us endless joy, licks, companionship and happiness. Loyal, loving, dependable, they are by always by our side. For anti-poaching rangers in rhino reserves, their dogs are not just lovable companions. They are an invaluable part of the anti-poaching response team, putting their unique dog intelligence to the test to deter, sniff out, and detain rhino poachers. They have rightfully earned the title of a ranger’s best friend.
Today in South Africa, rhino poaching continues to be the biggest threat to the future of rhinos. South Africa is home to 80% of the world’s rhinos, putting its rhino reserves firmly in the cross-hairs of poachers, driven by demand from Asia for their horn. After Kruger National Park (KNP)’s population was ‘hammered’ by poachers, losing a shocking 70% of its rhinos since 2008, it has fortified its security to protect the rhinos that remain. As a result, multiple poaching syndicates have turned their attention to rhinos in our Province, KwaZulu-Natal. From January to December 2022 alone, poachers killed 244 rhinos in the Province, compared to 101 just one year earlier. The majority were killed inside Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park (HiP), a flagship provincial park for rhinos. Without the dedication and hard work of the ranger teams at HiP, the number of rhinos being poached would undoubtably be much higher. Due to the intensity of poaching, HiP needs to urgently increase the effectiveness of its rhino protection efforts. This includes the use of a specialist K9 anti-poaching team.
Working anti-poaching K9s don't just fetch balls. They are vital in the fight to fetch justice for rhinos. Different dogs, depending on their breed and personalities, play different roles in responding alongside rangers to rhino poaching threats.
Tracker dogs (for example bloodhounds) have a very, very good sense of smell. Researchers estimate that their sense of smell is at least 1,000 times stronger than human’s! They are used to follow the scent of a poacher or to detect an incursion. A good tracker dog can follow tracks up to 12 hours old.
Sniffer dogs are used to search locations such as houses, or cars, and can be trained to sniff for weapons, rhino horn and ivory.
Attack dogs (such as Belgian Maliois and Dutch Shephards) are used to incapacitate a poacher’s weapon-holding arm to facilitate a safe arrest.
The presence of K9s in a wildlife reserve also acts as a strong deterrent for poachers. The fear of getting caught due to the K9s' keen sense of smell, and the fear of getting bitten and taken ‘down’ by the dogs helps to discourage poachers from entering the park.
Wild Tomorrow is proud to support the anti-poaching K9 team at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. We assist by supporting the operational expenses of the K9 Unit, including for uniforms, repairs to vehicles, maintenance of camps, leashes, and bowls for the dogs.
Anti-poaching K9s are true heroes on the frontlines of rhino conservation in South Africa. They didn’t ask for this job, but as working dogs, they love being of service to their rangers, who love their K9s back just as fiercely. It is truly moving to witness the bond between rangers and their dogs, working and training together daily.
These remarkable dogs stand as a beacon of hope in the battle against wildlife crime, reminding us that we must work together to protect rhinos for generations to come. These dogs are so different to our pampered pets at home, yet so similar. It’s unimaginable to think of our own dogs running past lions in the darkness, attacking armed rangers on command, and protecting rhinos on our behalf.
Let’s thank these brave K9s for their services by donating today on #InternationalDogDay. Such good dogs!
Ghost, a tracker dog with her handler at HiP in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Together they track and arrest rhino poachers.
Additional Reading/References:
Kuiper T. et al (2023). Evaluating the cost and effectiveness of rhino conservation interventions in the Greater Kruger. Available at www.gkepf.org/rhino-conservation-interventions/
Stoddard, Ed. (2 August 2022). Rhino poaching on the rise, KZN focus of carnage while private sector turns the tide. The Daily Maverick. www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-08-02-rhino-poaching-on-the-rise-kzn-focus-of-carnage-while-private-sector-turns-the-tide/
August 1, 2023. Phys.org News. S. Africa links fall in Kruger’s rhino poaching to declining animal numbers. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-safrica-links-fall-kruger-rhino.html#google_vignette
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