South Africa’s Kruger National Park is home to some of the world’s most majestic and incredible wildlife. The fact that this vast natural gem exists is a blessing, and it plays home to the beautiful and endangered rhino.
Unfortunately, however, poaching is on the rise, and the main target is the rhino, prized for its horn. In order to defend the rhinos and other wildlife, conservation efforts have been put into place throughout Kruger and South Africa’s many other national parks. One such effort is the creation of the K9 Unit: a force of trained rangers and tracking dogs.
I spoke with Moira Shein, the Chairperson of SANParks Honorary Rangers K9 Project Watchdog to learn more about these incredible, and sadly necessary, efforts taking place in South Africa; as well as the brave dogs and people involved in conserving wildlife in the country.
Contiki’s impact
Speaking with the K9 Unit in Kruger is a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in line with two of Contiki’s sustainability goals:
Goal 7: To include at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on 50% of itineraries – in 2024, we had one on 86% of our itineraries!
Goal 11: To ensure that 100% of animal experiences across our portfolio adhere to our Animal Welfare Policy - also achieved in 2024.
Read more about our impact and progress in our 2024 Impact Report.
Hi Moira! Can you tell me a little bit about what Project Watchdog does?
“K9 Project Watchdog is a national project of SANParks Honorary Rangers, a group of volunteers throughout South African, focused on supporting SANParks K9 Units, to prevent poaching in the area.”
“K9 Project Watchdog became a national project at the end of 2017, and we have K9 Units throughout eight of South Africa’s National Parks – seven of them being rhino parks, like Kruger National Park, and one being Table Mountain National Park where abalone – a type of mollusc – is found in the ocean and is often poached.”
“We support the K9 Units through procuring approved wish list items through our fundraising efforts. We purchase the dogs, build their kennels, take care of their veterinary needs, as well as providing the dog handling rangers with whatever equipment and training they need.”
Image source:Contiki
Why is this initiative a necessary one in Kruger National Park?
“So, back in 2010, saw an increase in rhino poaching, and by 2012 it was becoming an emergency. Poachers enter the park, and they come to hack off rhino horns – which are the moment is the most expensive commodity on earth. More than gold and more than cocaine, 1kg of rhino horn can sell for approximately $65,000 (USD), and a horn is around 6-7kg. It’s an extremely sought-after item in the East as a status symbol and false beliefs of medicinal cures. Rhino horn is made up of keratin, the same substance as your fingernails. This demand unfortunately leads to the increase of poaching.”
“But the K9 Unit was established because of the park’s natural landscape. It is still largely a wilderness area, with thick vegetation that poachers can easily hide in, making it hard for rangers to find them. So, in 2012 they brought in dogs – Belgian Malinois – to help track the poachers, and this operation was extremely successful. By 2013 we had eight dogs, and by approximately 2016 we had sixty dogs working.”
“At first the K9 Unit was only in Kruger, but when poaching spread to other parks, they extended the K9 units, and the anti-poaching efforts throughout the other parks. Poaching started decreasing once we had all the dogs deployed, and we now have 38 dogs working in Kruger and another 6 who work in what we call a ‘free running pack’.”
What kind of dogs are used for the K9 Unit?
“We use Belgian Malinois as detection dogs as well as tracking dogs. If the track is no older than three hours, the dogs would be able successfully find the poachers. We alos use a cross between between a Bloodhound and a Doberman, and these dogs can follow a track that’s almost 30 hours old.”
“We also use Springer Spaniels and Labradors as detection dogs at the gates of the park to detect any animal products, fire arms and ammunition and drugs being brought in and taken out of the park.”
Image source:K9 Unit
What is the day-to-day of the K9 Unit like?
“Due to Kruger National Park being almost the size of Wales, rangers patrol certain areas for unauthorized tracks and should any be found the dogs are brought in to follow the tracks.”
How are the dogs trained? And how are they taken care of outside of ‘work’?
“We purchase the dogs already trained, and we get them between 14-18 months old. They’re fully trained for tracking, but as a last part, we bring them to Kruger for acclimatisation. There are so many smells that they probably haven’t encountered before, they need to get used to this as well as the much warmer temperatures in the region of South Africa where the Kruger Park is located.”
“They’re each given a specific handler, and then both the dog and ranger are given orientation and some extra training before passing an assessment.”
“Our priority is to ensure that the dogs are cared for extremely well. Outside of work the dogs get a lot of love and attention and they’re allowed to play and get loads of love. They get to be normal dogs when they are not working. Make no mistake they absolutely love working”
Image source:K9 Unit
Could you touch on some of the history of poaching in Kruger National Park?
“Unfortunately, poaching has been around for a long time. Before 2010, we had what you call Subsistence Poaching, which is when people would hunt in the park for food. This mostly happens on the borders of the park, where an animal might be easily accessible – an antelope, for example.”
“In the past, rhinos were hunted so much that they were almost brought to extinction, and they remain a highly endangered species. They were brought back from near-extinction in the 70s by Dr. Ian Player, a conservationist, but demand for rhino horns surged back in 2010.”
“Due to South Africa’s tumultuous socio-political history, and levels of poverty in the country as well as the value of rhino horn created in the East, poaching became a way to make money.”
“We use high end technology to help in the fight against poaching and there has been incredible progress and the addition of the K9 Units has been a game changer.”
For you personally, why is the conservation of wildlife so important? And why is this a necessary and worthwhile fight?
“For me personally it’s just the fact that we’ve got protect animals and protection areas if we’re going to save this planet. Human – wildlife conflict is a growing problem due to the expansion of human settlements and the depletion of wildlife habitat. With that comes pollution of rivers, and the increased use of resources and obviously industrialization near protected area, are destroying the environment. Animals don’t have a place anymore, they don’t have a voice. We’re supposed to be the smartest species and we’re destroying our planet and wildlife at a n alarming rate.”
“with Contiki, who bring people to Kruger National Park, and some of these people get to see wildlife for the first time. An elephant in its natural habitat doing what it’s supposed to do or a pride of lions prowling, and it’s just the most amazing thing. I love seeing people’s reaction especially when they have only ever seen these animals in cages in a zoo. I see how people realise that, and once you’ve experienced Africa and is wildlife, you just can’t turn away from it.”
“I think humans have a lot to learn from animals, and if we don’t protect them and the environment, I weep for humankind”
Image source:K9 Unit
How important is it for you for Contiki travellers – and other travellers alike – to learn about the efforts of K9 Project Watchdog, and how can they support your efforts?
“It’s important to be aware of the poaching situation and awareness of the K9 Project because the dogs are a game changer in terms of fighting poaching – and not only for rhinos but for other species as well. It’s important to us that travellers understand and see the effect these K9 Units have and how impactful they are. These dogs want to work and give their best, and they have saved animals and rangers lives.”
“We operate completely as volunteers and depend on donations to support SANParks K9 units. That donated money is spent on the dogs and the K9 Unit – so really any amount is an immense help. Even just £10 converted to South African Rands covers two vaccinations for our dogs.”
If you’d like to donate to K9 Project Watchdog you can do so here.
