Gaven’s sniffer dogs used in the fight against rhino poaching
Review spoke to local resident and a wildlife conservationist at Holden-Smith Tracing and Conservation (HSTC), Gaven Smith, to find out exactly what they do.
LIMPOPO – In a report statement on progress made in the implementation of the Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros for the period of 1 May to 31 August, 414 alleged poachers had been arrested in South Africa since 1 January – of which 177 were in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and 237 across the rest of South Africa.
As a result, more farmers are making use of companies with specially trained dogs to track poachers. Various organisations with years of conservation training and experience with tracker dogs have made their services available to farmers, police and wildlife bodies to help in the fight against poaching.
Reports by Rhino Alive indicates illegal hunting was up by more than a third compared to this time last year. In April 2016 a total of 702 rhinos had been poached, just 470 short of the amount of animals killed by December 2015. More than half of the attacks happened in the Kruger National Park, however Polokwane has also lost a number of rhinos to poaching. Two rhinos in the Polokwane Nature Reserve were poached recently.
Review spoke to a wildlife conservationist at Holden-Smith Tracing and Conservation (HSTC), Gaven Smith, to find out exactly what they do.
“Our primary function is to aid and assist game reserves and wildlife owners to counteract illegal hunting and wildlife trade by poachers and poaching syndicates,” he said.
He explained as each situation is unique, their services differ to best suit the needs of their clients in assisting all farmers, police, and game reserves in the quest to stop poaching and the illegal trade of animals.
The dogs are trained in tracking blood trails and footprints, locating snares, finding carcasses and following scents. Conservationists and dog handlers conform fully with all the necessary legal requirements to look after and work with these animals.
HSTC consultant and handler, Ann Rosner, said: “There are many advantages to using dogs to catch poachers. For one, they are completely honest and cannot be bribed. They track down poachers themselves and can also seek out incriminating evidence like weapons discarded by fleeing poachers”.
An Anti-Poaching Unit in Polokwane Spokesperson, Lt Col Alpheus Mokale, said these dogs have assisted the police in the past with great success. “The fight against poaching is one that can only be won when the police and public work hand in hand to help save and protect our precious wildlife,” he said.
For further information about the dog units, contact Gavin Smith at 078 380 6316 or send an e-mail to info@hstc.co.za. Smith says anyone interested in donating to the K9 units can contact him for information and mentioned tracking devices and food for the animals are some of the most common needs.
To report poaching, contact your local police station or send an SMS to Crime Stop at 32211.
