Johannesburg - In the war against the poaching of rhinos in the Kruger National Park (KNP), SANParks rangers need all the help they can get. One of the most effective weapons in this battle is man’s best friend.
More than 40 highly trained tracker dogs are aiding rangers to sniff out poachers along the more than 300km border with Mozambique, where most of the poachers are believed to enter the park.
I had the chance to meet two of these amazing animals which are Bloodhounds crossed with Dobermans. They’re not bred for attack. Given the chance, they would probably lick you to death.
However, they are purpose-bred canines.
Craig Williams, the section ranger for lower Sabie at KNP, said: “You have to remember that most of these dogs are working dogs and not domestic animals as we know them. They live in kennels and are trained for months on end. Luckily for me, Badger and I were paired up when I trained as a K9 handler and I then had the opportunity to make him my own. He sleeps beside my bed at night.”
Training doesn’t come cheap and if you factor in maintenance and veterinary bills, the cost runs well over R100 000.
The hounds hunt poachers by scent and are followed by air and ground crews.
We were given a demonstration by the unit, following the dogs in the thick lowveld brush vegetation for several kilometres.
One of the dog’s handlers, who cannot be named for security reasons, made clicking and hissing noises with his mouth to egg his dog on. With his tail wagging profusely, you got the sense that this dog was happiest working in the field.
Half an hour into the chase, the dog picked up the pace as the scent grew stronger and we were soon at an acacia bush where the mock targets were hiding.
For people who regularly visit KNP, the sight of a domestic animal working the bushveld would be unheard of.
One ranger told me that if visitors were found with their family pet, the animal would need to be put down immediately for fear of it introducing foreign diseases into the delicate ecosystem. It’s clear that every dog gets its day at KNP, because an animal once seen as a threat is now playing an active role in the salvation of one of its most endangered species.
armand.hough@inl.co.za
Cape Argus
Armand Hough is a Cape Argus photographer. He was invited to the Kruger National Park by Rhino Tears wine, which donates R15 from the sale of every bottle to anti-poaching efforts.