&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal has announced that five specially selected dogs and their handlers will undergo an intensive 10-week training course as a means to combat poaching in the area.
The dogs, which arrived at the reserve on May 1, are part of the Rhino Dogs Project established by Mechem Denel and StopRhinoPoaching.com. They will be trained as human tracking and apprehension dogs and used in anti-poaching efforts.
“The dogs’ role is to track and warn of suspected poachers, as well as to locate any potential evidence left behind by suspect,” said a statement by &Beyond.
The training is being funded by StopRhinoPoaching.com, which supports individuals or organisations with large, viable rhino populations who work towards the goals of conservation. However, &Beyond Phinda has sponsored accommodation for the handlers for the duration of the course.
Once the training is complete, two of the dogs will remain at &Beyond Phinda. The other three will be deployed to game reserves in Swaziland and to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in Mpumalanga.
Two members of the security team contracted by &Beyond Phinda, the Nyathi Anti-Poaching Unit, have been chosen to train as dog handlers. “The handlers will form a cohesive unit with their animals, providing yet another boost to the reserve’s protective measures,” said the statement.
&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve is a founding member of Project Rhino KZN, which ensures that the necessary security measures are in place in the province. In addition to a rhino notching and identification programme &Beyond Phinda has implemented several other protective measures, including increased security, ranger patrols, aerial patrols, watch towers and CCTV cameras.
