K-9 Unit and Dog Kennels
K-9 Unit and Dog Kennels
Danny brought up the issue of the K-9 unit (Anti-poaching Rangers with tracking dogs) for the Northern Area of Tsavo National Park. WildiZe funded the setting up of the K-9 unit, The construction of 5 dog kennels, secure training and rest area and perimeter fence. The construction of accommodation for dog handlers, including kitchen and abolition blocks, relevant drainage and electricity for the compound.
The dogs, a dalmation and a retriever, were brought from U.K, and acclimatized to the Tsavo area. The handlers were trained by UK Teams who ensured the Kenyan rangers there would be no problems on the ground. The dog and handler teams were put to use along the Northern Area fenced boundary for rapid response of tracking poachers of wildlife, wood/ charcoal and honey.
Since the establishment of the dig unit in the Northern Area of Tsavo East, the unit has been deployed 
against both normal every day meat poaching, as well as the seasonal incursion of Somali bandits, even as recently as December 2006 the dogs assisted in a follow up of three Somali bandits, which resulted in a contact, leaving the main gang leader dead and the other two wounded. The operation was so successful that the gang was detected and eliminated before any damage was caused. The K-9 Unit has reduced response time from days to hours.
The dogs' presence and use in operations has also created a large deterrent element amongst the local bush meat poachers, who themselves use dogs to hunt and understand their abilities.
Presently, there is a breeding programme going on trying to cross-breed the exotic Labradors with the more adapt acclimatised local dogs.
©Photos courtesy of Danny Woodley and the Kenya Wildlife Service