Kruger National Park unleashes its hounds

The free-running pack dogs continue to play a significant role in hounding and curbing poaching in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and have been a major success since the launch of this unit in October last year.

The park has also installed cameras in several areas that record and capture all activities in the KNP. Most of these cameras are in the south section, the area most affected by poaching.

This special unit is part of additional measures for anti-poaching security.

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The K9 deployment manager and trainer, Simon Mnisi, said these free-roaming dogs hunt in packs and have proved to be highly effective during an earlier testing phase in the KNP. The programme is run in collaboration with the Southern African Wildlife College.

“What is so important about these dogs is that they run in groups and compete, which is ideal for catching running poachers. It enables the ground and aerial teams to catch the poachers before they can disappear into the bush. These unique dogs are able to run at 30km/h in a pack and are highly attuned to picking up human scents. Another benefit is that they are not vicious and their main aim is only to ensure the arrest of poachers, not to harm them,” he said.

Mnisi further said the dogs are excellent when it comes to following tracks. Once they locate a poacher, they do not get aggressive, but ensure the other teams are aware of where the poachers are. For the dogs’ safety, there is always a helicopter following them when they follow tracks or chase poachers into the bush.

Mnisi also said they prefer to work with female dogs, because once they follow tracks, they concentrate on nothing else, unlike male dogs that want to stop and mark territories when they smell the urine of another wild animal. He also said only one dog had been lost since the programme’s launch, as it was attacked by wild animals.

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The KNP’s spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla, said the cameras are very useful, especially in poaching hotspots. They also monitor any other irregularities within the park.

“With these cameras, the field rangers can log onto suspicious activities or call for assistance when needed. The cameras are monitored 24 hours a day and have been highly successful in catching some poachers.”

He also said the ground and aerial teams, as well as the foot rangers and the K9 teams will not rest until every corner of the KNP is secured from poachers.