WHY DO ANTI-POACHING K9’S & RHINOS NEED OUR HELP?
South Africa is home to the largest remaining populations of wild rhinos on Earth — yet it is also the country most heavily impacted by poaching. In 2024, an estimated 420 of the 516 rhinos poached across Africa were killed in South Africa.
There is hope. According to the International Rhino Foundation’s 2025 State of the Rhino report, poaching levels are now at their lowest point in more than a decade. This progress proves that conservation works.
But the fight is far from over. Poaching remains a serious threat to rhinos across Africa…and we need your help to protect these iconic animals and secure a future where they can thrive.
ANTI-POACHING K9 TEAMS WE SUPPORT
Wild Tomorrow partners with two incredible anti-poaching K9 teams from surrounding reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park K9 Unit and the Project Rhino K9 Unit.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park’s K9 Unit is a small but brave team of K9s and handlers who are vitally important in the fight to save rhinos at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, made famous for saving white rhinos from a first wave of poaching in the 70s). Now, the rhinos are at risk of extinction again in a new wave of poaching. The rangers and three highly trained dogs risk their lives daily to save rhinos at their park.
The Project Rhino K9 Unit is a group of trained anti-poaching dogs and handlers, who specialize in tracking, investigating, and safeguarding rhinos and other endangered species across KwaZulu-Natal. Since their launch in 2017, they have been a crucial part of wildlife crime prevention. Working alongside landowners, conservation agencies, security teams, and the South African Police Service, their dogs have assisted in numerous arrests, wildlife crime investigations, and even high-value recoveries — including narcotics and counterfeit goods worth over USD 4 million!
These two K9 teams play a critical role in wildlife protection; supporting the prevention, detection, and apprehension of human-related threats across the reserve.
The secret weapon for both of these amazing K9 teams is their dog’s amazing noses. With a sense of smell 1,000 times stronger than a human’s, these trained K9s are experts at detecting the scent of a poacher.
This year’s dog walk fundraiser is especially meaningful as we pay tribute to Ghost, the beloved Bloodhound/Doberman of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Canine Unit who passed away last year. Ghost was not only the team’s finest tracker but also a loyal companion and fearless defender in the fight against rhino poaching. By walking and fundraising during the month of April, you honor her legacy and support dogs like her. Rest in Peace, Ghost.
With you and your pets fundraising support, you can help purchase essential equipment including harnesses, leashes and tracking collars for these courageous K9’s who assist in preventing the majestic rhino species from disappearing.
Meet The K9’s
Meet Ghost 🐾 (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park)
Ghost passed away in 2025, and left a legacy.
Ghost was a Bloodhound/Doberman cross with an extraordinary gift for tracking. Her role on the team was clear: follow the trail — no matter how old, no matter how far.
With a nose that seemed almost unbelievable, Ghost could follow scents up to 17 hours old and track relentlessly for an entire day without tiring. Once she locked onto a trail, she stayed focused, steady, and determined until the job was done.
Brave and unwavering, Ghost brought grit and resilience to every mission. Yet beyond her strength in the field, she was an incredibly loving dog — deeply devoted to her team and gentle with her people.
Her legacy lives on in the unit she helped build and the wildlife she helped protect.
Favorite activity: Tracking with fearless determination to defend endangered species.
Meet Captain, or “Cappy” for short!🐾 (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park)
Captain is a Dutch Shepherd and a highly skilled dual-purpose K9, trained in long-distance tracking and suspect apprehension. When he’s on duty, he’s focused, driven, and always ready to work.
Off the clock, Captain shows his softer side. He loves playing with his toys — even more than he loves food! While the rest of the unit may be happily chewing on bones, Captain will choose his ball every time.
Outside of operations, he’s a bit more timid and sensitive, known for being incredibly gentle with people and his fellow K9 teammates. But don’t let his sweet nature fool you — Captain leads by example and quietly runs the show, setting the standard for the rest of the unit.
Favorite activity: Detection work — especially locating rhino horn and ammunition to help protect wildlife.
Meet Mafu 🐾 (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park)
Mafu is an American Hound (or Coonhound) and the only female K9 on the team since the passing of Ghost. Mafu brings grit, heart, and unstoppable energy to the unit.
Her specialty is tracking — and she’s exceptional at it. Mafu can detect and follow scents up to 16 hours old, and compared to her teammates, she can track the longest distances without tiring. When there’s a trail to follow, she’s all in.
Off duty, Mafu is completely bone-crazy — give her a bone and she’s happy as daisies! But her true favorite pastime? Hunting for lizards under rocks…with total determination and curiosity!
Confidence comes naturally to this girl. She beats to her own drum and somehow manages to be everywhere at once. Her teammates describe her as bouncy, full of life, and — despite all that drive — the biggest cuddler on the team.
Favorite activity: Long-distance tracking to help protect wildlife and support anti-poaching efforts.
Meet Chief 🐾 (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park)
Chief is the muscle of the team. A Dutch Shepherd and dual-purpose K9, his primary role is tracking and apprehension — and he brings strength, focus, and intensity to every operation.
Like Mafu, Chief loves his bones, and he shows affection the best way he knows how: with plenty of enthusiastic kisses. Strong, powerful, and naturally more assertive, Chief is most confident on night tracking missions, when his instincts and drive truly shine.
Every pack leader needs a bodyguard — and that’s Chief. Fiercely loyal, he’s especially devoted to Captain and is rarely far from his side. Wherever Captain goes, Chief follows.
While he’s not a dog to be messed with on duty, off the clock Chief is deeply loving and loyal to his handler and team.
Favorite activity: Being Captain’s loyal bodyguard — and tracking down threats to protect wildlife.
Watch this video highlighting the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park K9 Unit, led by Section Ranger Dennis Kelly. We honored the team at our 2024 Gala in New York City.