WATCH: Determined dogs defy poachers
BLOUBOSRAND – Nearly 30 dogs are part of an anti-poaching unit dedicated to protecting rhinos and other endangered species from criminals
A Bloubosrand-based conservation unit has found a unique way to fight against the poaching of South African wildlife by employing man’s best friend to be endangered species’ best friend too.
Carl Thornton is the founder and team leader of the operators at Pit-Track, a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting South Africa’s vulnerable species from poaching syndicates. His unit, which mainly operates in the North West region of the country, currently has 30 anti-poaching operators who volunteer their time, and 27 working dogs.
“Our work is proactive, not reactive,” Thornton explained. “We don’t stick to conventional methods of anti-poaching.”
Pit-Track’s work is remarkable in two ways. Firstly, while other anti-poaching units try to thwart poachers by patrolling entire nature reserves, Pit-Track operators instead shadow the animals – such as rhino, pangolins, or African rock pythons – in need of protection. This prevents poachers from striking unnoticed.
Secondly, is their use of canine units (K9) in their work. Although the American military has used K9 units in Iraq, such units are rare and have seldom been used specifically to fight poaching. Pit-Track currently has 10 Belgian Malinois and 14 pit bull terriers in service, while Belgian bloodhounds and Weimaraners are also used, although these come from other organisations.
The Malinois dogs are used to follow the scent of poachers at a speed much faster than a human tracker can do, and the pit bulls are used to apprehend the poachers. The Belgian bloodhounds can sniff out animal parts such as rhino horns that have been poached, and the Weimaraners are used to find and follow animals that the operators need to guard.
“You must understand that these operatives have decided to spend their days volunteering to work against terrorists [sic] in order to save wild animals,” said Thornton.
“That love for wild animals is the same sort of love that they have for the animals that help us do it.”
This caring attitude has been extended to the community. Thornton speaks at schools countrywide about conservation, teaching children how they can help protect Africa’s animals. Pit-Track has also partnered with Child Welfare South Africa to train abused children on how to care for an abused planet.
But Pit-Track is facing an uphill battle. South African legislation does not do enough to protect vulnerable species from exploitation. The training and accreditation needed for Pit-Track to function cost hundreds of thousands of rands while the poaching syndicates that they face often have unlimited funding.
“I never wanted to make our work about money,” said Thornton.
“The work we do is about conservation, about saving the world’s animals but, unfortunately, money is necessary.”
If you want more information on the work Pit-Track does, or to help, you can visit their website www.pittrack.co.za or contact Carl Thornton on 071 307 1514.
