MBOMBELA – Killer, a well-known tracking dog in the Kruger National Park (KNP) that has helped to secure the arrest of 115 poaching suspects in the past four years, has been awarded the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Gold Medal. The medal is recognised worldwide as the animals’ George Cross.
Killer works with handler Mr Amos Mzimba and together they are a force with which to be reckoned. In fact, judicial history was made in the local Magistrate’s Court in October when the ability of a tracker dog (Killer) to track a rhino poacher, as portrayed by Mzimba, was allowed and accepted as evidence in a South African court. This secured the successful conviction of Mozambican rhino poachers Andelius Mukwebe and Jeremano Thive.
Also read: KNP tracking dog’s conduct noted in court
Even Prince Harry of Wales met Killer during his official visit to the Kruger last month.
Also read: Prince Harry up close and personal with the reality of rhino poaching
Comedian, Hollywood actor and animal-welfare advocate Ricky Gervais announced Killer’s award, on behalf of the PDSA, in a special video released on social media last week.
The PDSA Gold Medal is the highest honour a civilian animal can receive for bravery and devotion. Killer is only the 24th PDSA Gold Medal recipient worldwide, since the inception of the award in 2001.
Both Killer and Mzimba can be deployed deep inside the KNP several times a day, and the dog’s tracking and early detection of suspects is paramount in keeping his handler and the rest of the team safe from harm.
On one occasion, following a sighting of poachers in the infamous Bangu area close to the border of Mozambique, Killer and Mzimba were flown in as part of a four-man strong team, including South African Defence Force personnel. While trying to find a spoor to track, shots were fired and, in the confusion that followed, the pair became separated from the main group.
Killer picked up a spoor to track the suspects, giving him and Mzimba the upper hand over the poachers. As the determined dog and handler followed the suspects to the bottom of a cliff, they spotted someone just in front of them. Mzimba shouted to the suspect to surrender, but heard a heavy calibre rifle shot and the bullet pass close to his head. He returned fire in defence of both his and Killer’s lives, before apprehending two other suspects.
Mzimba said, “It is an honour to have Killer by my side. It means a lot that he has been recognised for his skills and assistance in tracking and apprehending poachers. Thanks to him, we are arresting more poachers, but there is a lot more to be done if we are to save the rhino from extinction. Killer is invaluable in achieving that.”
PDSA director general, Mr Jan McLoughlin, said, “The PDSA Gold Medal recognises extraordinary acts of courage and dedication in life-threatening situations, and Killer is indeed a worthy recipient. His contribution to saving the rhino population has been truly remarkable. His track record is astounding and we are honoured to recognise his fantastic work in this way.”
The dog’s award was formally presented by Gervais. He said, “Killer does fantastic work in the Kruger National Park. Rhinos are wonderful creatures that are being killed in their hundreds by these poachers. Killer and his colleagues are fighting back. He helped capture dozens of poachers in the last year alone, thanks to his amazing courage and dedication. He’s making a huge contribution to rhino protection in South Africa.”
It was Mr Bruce Leslie of the Environmental Crimes Investigations Unit who nominated Killer for medal. He said, “To save the rhino from extinction, someone has to stand between them and the poachers and that job falls to our rangers. Killer’s sense of smell is absolutely amazing at tracking people. He makes us more successful and increases our arrest rate. All of our dogs carry out incredible work on a daily basis, but Killer stands out for his tenacity and dedication so I’m enormously proud that he has received the PDSA Gold Medal.”
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