College Trains Anti-Poaching Dogs

A key factor that has added to the success in arrests of poachers in the area west of the Kruger National Park has been the use of trained dogs. The Southern African Wildlife College now has a canine anti-poaching training unit, with dog kennels and a full-time professional dog master.

Four Malinois, 11 Hounds and two Beagles are currently being trained at the kennels. The training facility is aimed at delivering accredited dog handlers who, together with their trained dogs, will be operationally competent and meet all current and future anti-poaching initiatives with Kruger National Park’s joint protection zone and the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation and ultimately, the Southern African Development Community region.

Kruger National Park’s joint protection zone is an area demarcated as a cooperation-based conservation management block with Kruger National Park in the centre, and including all private and community-owned reserves in Mozambique and South Africa that lie adjacent to the park. An agreement between SANParks, Peace Parks Foundation and the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation will see the implementation of the joint protection zone’s security strategy, which includes the establishment of a centrally-managed operations base and control centre at the Southern African Wildlife College.

The college’s ranger camp, aerial support and canine unit are all seen as assets to the zone, while at the same time enhancing training. The college has provided extensive training in the region to bolster efforts to combat wildlife crime.

Story by Piet Theron
International Coordinator
Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
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