K9 Project Watchdog

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The K9 national project manages all canine related Honorary Ranger activity in our national parks.

Poaching in our national parks remains a major conservation challenge in South Africa. The K9 Anti-Poaching Unit is considered a game changer for anti-poaching initiatives in the Kruger National Park.

Well-trained dogs such as the Bloodhound, Belgian Shepherd, or Malinois, breeds are perfectly suited to track poachers in the field and detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through park gates. These remarkable dogs can follow an hours-old scent over impressive distances.

A well-trained dog and its handler are powerful weapons against wildlife crime. Dogs use their superior senses of smell, hearing, eyesight and agility to sense and do things that people can’t. As poachers become more lethally armed, dogs provide vital early warning and safety systems for rangers and handlers. Their keen sense of smell and ability to track over long distances for up to 48 hours make them invaluable additions to anti-poaching programs

Tracker dogs are deployed by helicopter or vehicle and operate throughout the Park. Since its inception in 2012, the K9 anti-poaching Unit in the Kruger National Park has grown from 3 to 55 dogs. Because of its success, the project has been extended to other National Parks, with a total of 75 dogs now working across the country.

An integral contributor to the success of this unit is the support of the SANParks Honorary Rangers.

SANPARKS HONORARY RANGERS STRENGTHEN ANTI-POACHING EFFORTS

28/11/2024

In a generous act of support towards wildlife conservation, the Magalies Region of the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) made a significant donation to the anti-poaching K9 Unit based at Kingfisherspruit ranger section in the Kruger National Park. This contribution is poised to bolster efforts to safeguard the park's magnificent wildlife from the devastating effects of poaching.

Scent’s Journey

30/06/2024

Scent is an eight-year-old bloodhound-mix specially trained to work as a SANParks anti-poaching K9. Together with her trusted handler, they have been responsible for the successful arrest of numerous potential poachers within South Africa’s National Parks. Unfortunately, Scent’s critical work came to a sudden halt last year, when she hurt her knee. She had ruptured her cruciate ligament and needed to undergo surgery and receive intensive treatment thereafter in order to have the best chance of recovery.

Making Contact

24/01/2023

Making Contact - A K9 conservation Story “The ‘pawsome’ series was filmed in Hluhluwe iMfolozi, Kruger National Park and Cape Town and has been created by Hills Pet Nutrition, with a goal to help keep paws and boots on the ground in protecting our wildlife in this country.

K9 National Project

15/02/2022

The new K9 national project manages all canine related Honorary Ranger activity in our national parks.

Table Mountain NP – SEAM Special Operations Rangers

08/12/2021

SANParks - Table Mountain National Park introduced a first of its kind Sea, Air and Mountain (SEAM) Special Operations Ranger Team to the media, funders, Park Forum, representatives from US Fisheries and Wildlife Services, and of course SANParks Honorary Rangers at a pass-out parade. At its core is the re-established K9 Unit boasting six new fully-trained dogs and a state-of-the-art spec ops centre. "This group will cover multiple functions which include visitor safety, search and rescue and illicit wildlife crime such as abalone poaching," explained Table Mountain National Park Manager Frans van Rooyen

Dogs are rangers too! #WorldRangerDay

31/07/2020

Episode 2 – Life Line. ‘Anti-poaching K9 teams risk their lives on a daily basis. The dog’s heightened senses and boy language become invaluable to the handler. The risks are real and the outcome is unpredictable.’

Episode 3 – Together United. ‘The fight against poaching cannot be tackled individually. In order to achieve success, anti-poaching units need the help of the team.’

Episode 4 – S.E.A.M. Team. ‘An ongoing silent war within our tranquil oceans is taking place daily. As humans we tend to create a commodity out of our national heritage.’

Episode 5 – Disconnect Reconnect. ‘To connect with our natural environment is to learn from it, to respect it and to love it.’

A day in the life of a ranger’s dog. A glimpse into the daily life of a ranger and his dog.

When you donate to K9 Project Watchdog you are not only helping us look after the dogs and maintain the anti-poaching units, you are also helping to preserve South Africa’s precious wildlife. As an non-profit organisation we rely on donations to maintain and care for the K9 anti-poaching units.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude for your support and appreciate every donation.

Payment can be made once-off or as a debit order, via EFT or credit card.

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