NEW ANTI-POACHING DOG TO HELP RHINO CONSERVATION
Rotary initiative to train dog for rhino anti-poaching unit
ROXY is hoped to be the next big asset in the fight to protect the endangered rhino species, and the Rages (Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species) project, together with its strategic partner Chipembere Rhino Foundation (CRF), are confident this new initiative will show positive results.
CRF specialises in sourcing, testing and funding technology for effective monitoring of rhino. This includes funding K9 handlers and their tracking and apprehension dogs, providing anti-poaching teams with vital equipment and funding equipment needed to translocate rhino across Southern Africa, as well as collaborating with other like-minded NGOs and companies.
CRF founder Brent Cook, along with trustee Dr William Fowlds, are both rhino advisers to the Rages board. Project director Jo Wilmot is an active volunteer.
“Our approach is need based on the ground, and initially, our focus was on monitoring equipment so animals could be tracked and then protected,” Fowlds said. “This project has funded 25 collars to be fitted to rhinos in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and in the Kruger National Park with the help of other clubs.”
CRF’s K-9 programme was identified as the next area of focus and has assisted with K9 dogs Sammy and Blade who have been deployed to their respective reserves and have been on active duty for more than a year. Both these reserves have lost rhino to poaching and have an active anti-poaching unit.
Last year saw an escalation in rhino poaching in the Eastern Cape.
Sibuya Game Reserve, a staunch supporter of the fight against poaching, was hit last month and their beloved bull Bingo and two cows were slaughtered.
The Rotary Club of Kenton once again responded and the reserve identified CRF’s K-9 programme as a need to help them protect their remaining rhino, including the orphans, Binky and Noelle, who lost their mothers in the poaching incident. An initial donation of R24000 was made to kick-start the project.
“K9 Roxy is still in training and will be deployed to her reserve in the next couple of months, all going well,” Wilmot said.
“We are still fundraising for Roxy as we aim to raise all funds required for her training, as well as her handler's. One of her primary roles will be to join the reserve's anti-poaching unit (APU) that will be assigned to protect rhino, as well as rhino orphans.
“The total funds required for Roxy is R75000, so we still have R51000 to go. We have a series of fundraising projects planned and are in the process of putting together a video clip with the help of student Aimee Purgell from the Channel Islands, who is volunteering her time and skills for Rotary and the cause.“
Rotary has also approached their district organisers, as well as the PAHS Interact Club’s projects director, for help with its K9 project Roxy.