Who would have thought that one of the most beloved animals on Earth, the dog, is changing the way we fight wildlife trafficking, poaching and other illegal activities within Africa’s fragile ecosystems? In Malawi’s Nyika National Park, Peace Parks Foundation and partners are working closely with the Government of Malawi to restore this unique habitat through projects such as rewilding, community upliftment programmes, infrastructure development and, of course, the training of counter-poaching units and their four-legged sidekicks.
On a recent visit to Nyika, Gaven Holden-Smith, a renowned canine breeder and trainer of anti-poaching dogs across Africa, is hard at work training the canine unit that operates within the park. His years of experience and expertise are an invaluable contribution to counter-poaching activities here, and training sessions like these provide both rangers and dogs with better skills and knowledge to successfully tackle illegal activities in Nyika.
Meet The Dogs
Jungle, Nkonzo and AK are the founding members of the canine unit in Nyika. They are responsible for detecting poachers who might try and smuggle highly valued and trafficked wildlife contraband out of the park. This includes animal products as well as rare flora endemic to Nyika’s montane grasslands. With the landscape and ecosystem now flourishing, it is important that the counter-poaching units continue to defend this habitat to ensure that it is protected for future generations.
To do this effectively, tracker dogs Jungle, Nkonzo, and AK form part of the quick reaction force that gives the field rangers critical support when needed. But to ensure that their senses remain sharp, Gaven sets up a scent trail for the dogs to follow. With their heads down and supersonic smell senses activated, the dogs follow the trail through the tough terrain of woodlands and thick grasses, which unfortunately leaves them a little worse for wear.
A Face Full Of Seeds
Hidden in the vegetation are some very sticky grass seeds that will attach to anything or anyone that brushes up against it – a biological function that helps with maximising seed dispersal. Unfortunately for AK, who was so focused on the task ahead (or perhaps it was the treat in Gaven’s pocket), he got a face full of seeds. Although it doesn’t hurt the dog, it is important for the handlers and rangers to remove all these seeds, which can interfere with their tracking ability and cause abscesses in the skin.
Despite working hard to protect Nyika National Park, the bond between the dogs and their handlers is well worth all of the challenges that they face. Peace Parks Foundation is thankful for the hard work of these counter-poaching units to ensure that Africa’s heritage remains intact for future generations.
