In many instances, dogs are an integral part of people’s everyday lives. While domestic animals will always provide much companionship and pleasure, the role of working dogs in protecting South Africa’s wildlife and conservation endeavours is particularly important. Poaching in South Africa’s national parks remains a major conservation challenge and, in general, all encounters with poachers that involve dogs result in arrests.
A critical contributor to the success of anti-poaching initiatives, is the work of the SANParks K9 Unit. The unit has anti-poaching as its primary objective. These magnificent animals are especially bred for the important work that they perform in the reserve. Malinois – Belgian Shepherd dogs – are hugely active animals wanting to please their handlers. They are detection dogs. Bloodhound/Doberman crosses are tracker dogs, and can follow scent trails for hours on end, diligently pursuing their target. Well-trained tracker dogs are perfectly suited to track poachers in the field, and can also detect firearms, ammunition, and wildlife products that are smuggled in and out of park gates. These remarkable dogs follow scents, which may be hours old, over vast distances. Tracker dogs are deployed by helicopter or vehicle and operate throughout the park.
The SANParks K9 Centre in the Kruger National Park, is supported in a practical way by members of SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHRs) through the K9 Project Watchdog. A volunteer organisation, SHR give freely of their time and skills to support SANParks in fostering conservation in South Africa’s national parks. Four members of the Rotary Club of Hoedspruit also double up as Honorary Rangers, and one of the favourite duties, is looking after the dogs at the K9 Centre.
The volunteers approved to work with the dogs, are organised and deployed by the coordinating SHR for dog handling support, Monica Stark. Monica provides guidance on the specific requirement of each individual animal.
Hazel and Alan Partington and the Lovelle and Michael Henderson do regular service at the unit over weekends and public holidays. “We get very attached to the dogs,” says Lovelle, “and my favourite is a bloodhound who works the area in which the centre is situated. She goes out early every morning on her tracking duties with her handler who she obviously adores.” Lovelle adds that when she (the bloodhound) returns late morning, she is very tired but loves a cuddle and a brush after she has had a good sleep in her shady run, supplied and installed by a team of Honorary Rangers. Hazel enjoys keeping an eye on dogs who may be at the Unit for medical reasons or because their handler is on leave, giving that extra bit of TLC.
Michael and Alan’s favourites are a Bloodhound/Doberman crosses. These dogs are extremely strong and it is necessary to be non-confrontational, when taking the dogs for a walk on their leads. During cuddle and brushing times, the dogs often roll on their backs waiting for the brush strokes and enjoying the attention. All dogs are fed special, individualised, diets each evening. It is essential to be meticulous in following their respective diets, and when dispensing food and medication.
The work at the K9 Unit is not glamorous! Early morning is the time to thoroughly scrub and sterilise all the kennels and beds, as well as clear each run and check for overnight intruders. These highly trained, very expensive animals are precious, and there are strict guidelines for looking after them carefully, to ensure that they are nurtured and kept healthy, safe and happy.
Recently Rotary volunteers had the opportunity to support the K9 Unit in a different way. The Rotary Club of Hoedspruit runs an annual K2C Cycle Tour. This amazing event in which 100 cyclists cycle 100km through Big 5 territory, raises funds that are donated to support conservation. During 2022 the Rotary Club of Hoedspruit, thanks to the generosity of its cyclists, was able to donate R30 000 to the SHR K9 Project Watchdog. This donation assisted in covering essential support for the dogs, such as veterinary bills, as well as contributing to the satellite data bill for their GPS harnesses.
Rotary Club of Hoedspruit is now proud to be featured on the K9 Unit’s donation wall.
