They're only the second litter born at the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), arriving late in 2017, and will add valuable capacity to the unit when they're older. The 4 pups (3 males and 1 female) are mixed hounds, born to V and Rhino, 2 of the College's hard working pack dogs. The pups will soon start their formal anti-poaching training.
"As their characters and strengths appear, we'll evaluate which ones will be pack dogs, and which will be individual line trackers," says Dog Master Johan van Straaten.
With the pups, there are 21 dogs currently housed at SAWC. Its K9 Unit was established in 2015, supported by the WWF Nedbank Green Trust. In October 2017, a substantial 3 year grant was awarded to the SAWC by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). This grant will make sure that the highest possible standards are met when it comes to the welfare of dogs working in the service of wildlife conservation, including these puppies.
"There is increasing demand for well-trained dogs and handlers to help combat wildlife crime, and we have high hopes for these pups," notes College CEO Theresa Sowry. They will be flown in to track the spoor of poachers, while pack dogs run off leash and can be followed by a helicopter, to catch poachers at high speed.
The K9 Unit trains and works with a variety of dogs; cross-breeds of English foxhounds, blueticks, and beagles, as well as Belgian malinois' dogs, which are slightly smaller, more agile German shepherds. The different breeds have complementary skills, with hounds like V excellent at tracking and pack work, while the Belgian malinois dogs are good all-rounders and can help with detection and apprehension work.
"For all of our dogs, their reward is the work itself," notes Johan who has a unique relationship with each of the canines that live in the modern, north facing kennels near Kruger National Park's Orpen Gate.
“The deployment of effectively trained handlers and dogs is adding to the success rate of anti-poaching teams. We’re constantly surprised by the dogs’ skills and tenacity as well as their ability to track human spoor for kilometers,” notes Theresa.
Thanks to what is now a fully fledged K9 training unit, this capability can now be used in anti-poaching operations throughout Africa.
Says Dr. Joseph Okori, IFAW's Regional Director Southern Africa - Landscape and Conservation Programme: "There is no doubt that canine capacity is an effective addition to the bouquet of tactics law enforcers can employ to counter poaching."
For more information visit www.wildlifecollege.org.za
To make a donation to the K9 unit,
please use the following banking details
Standard bank: SAWC Tracker Dog Unit
Current account #330451995
Hoedspruit branch 052752
