By Claudia Bensimoun

First published: Fido Friendly magazine

By Claudia Bensimoun

Image credit: Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Deep in the African veld, there is a desperate struggle to put an end to rampant poaching.

As rhino poaching surges in Africa, dogs are emerging as powerful allies in the fight. This Fido Friendly feature by Claudia Bensimoun on barkuptoday.com spotlights Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s “triple-role” sniffer dogs, trained to track, search for ivory/horns/ammo, and patrol against poachers.

With over 1,000 rhinos killed in South Africa in 2014, and Kenya losing 3% of its population, these dogs cut security costs and deter criminals. Led by conservationist Richard Vigne and trainer Daryll Pleasants, the program protects endangered rhinos and elephants. Below are key highlights from the article, including success stories. Read the full feature on FidoFriendly.com here.

Rhino Poaching Crisis

More than 1000 rhinos were illegally massacred in South Africa in 2014. ‘Triple-role’ sniffer dogs, trained as anti-poaching dogs, together with their handlers, who are often wildlife conservationists, are trying to save some of the world’s most endangered species at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. The increasing demand in Asia for rhino horn and elephant tusks is responsible for these massacres.

Image credit: White Paw Limited

Dogs’ Anti-Poaching Role

In Kenya, thanks to White Paw Limited and the deployment of wildlife sniffer dogs, approximately 35 animals were lost last year, or 3% of the population. “We have done quite well to curb poaching, but it has come at a huge cost in terms of manpower and resources. Kenya has also been really successful at curbing poaching of elephants, and is leading the way in Africa on this,” explains Richard Vigne, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya.

Ol Pejeta Success

Today, Ol Pejeta Conservancy strives to protect all endangered species in Kenya. Situated between the foothills of the Aberdares and the magnificent snow-capped Mount Kenya, this non-profit wildlife conservancy supports endangered species, tourism, and community outreach. It is now the largest Black Rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and is also home to southern white rhinos and the critically endangered northern white rhino.

Image credit: White Paw Limited

Meet Richard Vigne and Daryll Pleasants! White Paw Limited, a UK-based company owned by Daryll Pleasance, whose goal is to develop ‘triple role dogs’ and ultimately put an end to poaching. Vigne adds, “These are animals with a variety of skills. Dogs are actually a new area for conservationists such as myself. We believe that properly trained and deployed dogs can act as a significant deterrent to poachers, as well as help us cut the costs of enforcing the security needed to protect rhinos and elephants across this part of Kenya.”

“Dogs are trained under the supervision of White Paw Limited, a UK-based company owned by Daryll Pleasance. We aim to develop so-called ‘triple role dogs’—these are animals with a variety of skills, including trackers, search (ivory, rhino horn, ammunition, explosives), patrol, and assault,” explains Pleasance. The Black Rhino is extremely endangered, and conservationists are doing all they can to protect these ‘valuable’ animals from extinction.

For the Full Exclusive Story, see the Summer 2015 Issue of FIDO Friendly.

Claudia Bensimoun, Dogs Anti-Poaching, Rhino Poachers Africa, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Triple-Role Sniffer Dogs, Dog Conservation Heroes, Richard Vigne, Daryll Pleasants, White Paw Limited, Fido Friendly, Canine Rhino Protection, Anti-Poaching Dogs Kenya, Dog Tracking Poachers, Dog Patrol Training, Ivory Detection Dogs, Rhino Horn Sniffing, Elephant Poaching Dogs, Dog Security Africa, Canine Wildlife Guardians, Pet Poaching Prevention, Dog Study Anti-Poaching, Dog Behavior Poachers, Vet Anti-Poaching Insights, Holistic Dog Conservation, Dog Agility Poaching, Pet Rhino Rescue, Dog Crime Deterrence, Canine Anti-Poaching Study, Dog Security Costs, Dog Poacher Deterrent