A RANGER’S BEST FRIEND IN THE FIGHT FOR RHINOS — Wild Tomorrow Fund
Because the animal lovers amongst us know so properly, a canine is really our greatest pal. They’re a part of the household, they dwell in our houses (and in our beds!) and convey us limitless pleasure, licks, companionship and happiness. Loyal, loving, reliable, they’re by at all times by our facet. For anti-poaching rangers in rhino reserves, their canines will not be simply lovable companions. They’re a useful a part of the anti-poaching response staff, placing their distinctive canine intelligence to the check to discourage, sniff out, and detain rhino poachers. They’ve rightfully earned the title of a ranger’s finest pal.
At this time in South Africa, rhino poaching continues to be the largest menace to the way forward for rhinos. South Africa is residence to 80% of the world’s rhinos, placing its rhino reserves firmly within the cross-hairs of poachers, pushed by demand from Asia for his or her horn. After Kruger Nationwide Park (KNP)’s inhabitants was ‘hammered’ by poachers, dropping a surprising 70% of its rhinos since 2008, it has fortified its safety to guard the rhinos that stay. Consequently, a number of poaching syndicates have turned their consideration to rhinos in our Province, KwaZulu-Natal. From January to December 2022 alone, poachers killed 244 rhinos within the Province, in comparison with 101 only one yr earlier. The bulk had been killed inside Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park (HiP), a flagship provincial park for rhinos. With out the dedication and onerous work of the ranger groups at HiP, the variety of rhinos being poached would undoubtably be a lot larger. As a result of depth of poaching, HiP must urgently improve the effectiveness of its rhino safety efforts. This consists of the usage of a specialist K9 anti-poaching staff.
Working anti-poaching K9s do not simply fetch balls. They’re very important within the combat to fetch justice for rhinos. Completely different canines, relying on their breed and personalities, play completely different roles in responding alongside rangers to rhino poaching threats.
Tracker canines (for instance bloodhounds) have a really, excellent sense of odor. Researchers estimate that their sense of odor is not less than 1,000 occasions stronger than human’s! They’re used to observe the scent of a poacher or to detect an incursion. An excellent tracker canine can observe tracks as much as 12 hours outdated.
Sniffer canines are used to go looking places corresponding to homes, or automobiles, and might be skilled to smell for weapons, rhino horn and ivory.
Assault canines (corresponding to Belgian Maliois and Dutch Shephards) are used to incapacitate a poacher’s weapon-holding arm to facilitate a secure arrest.
The presence of K9s in a wildlife reserve additionally acts as a robust deterrent for poachers. The concern of getting caught because of the K9s’ eager sense of odor, and the concern of getting bitten and brought ‘down’ by the canines helps to discourage poachers from coming into the park.
Wild Tomorrow is proud to assist the anti-poaching K9 staff at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. We help by supporting the operational bills of the K9 Unit, together with for uniforms, repairs to autos, upkeep of camps, leashes, and bowls for the canines.