Star tracking dog survives lion fight

Strong, intimidating, dedicated, and loyal is how the K9 antipoaching unit in the Kruger National Park (KNP) is being described.

Canine tracker Akita, pictured, and her pack’s job is to protect rhinos in the KNP.

However, since Akita’s service began, she has had two neardeath encounters and survived both, Lowvelder reports.

In March last year, then-sevenyear-old Akita came face-to-face with a kudu bull during a patrol.

She also had a confrontation with a lion a few weeks ago.

The manager of the KNP’s K9 unit, Johan de Beer, explained that the dogs usually have a fitness day on a Sunday morning in the park.

At one stage, Akita began sniffing around in nearby bushes, unaware that she was being watched by a lion.

The lion clearly felt threatened by Akita’s presence and attacked her. Akita’s survival instincts took over and she fought back until the aggressive lion released her.

Lucky for Akita, the lion let go before inflicting fatal injuries to the dog and the K9 unit’s trainers had time to get Akita medical assistance.

After the incident, De Beer took to Facebook, announcing “Akita 0 Lion 1”, adding in the post his gratitude to Lowveld rangers and to Dr Gert Scheepers, the Phalaborwa veterinarian who treated Akita’s injuries.

Everyone was surprised at the speed of Akita’s recovery, despite having being badly injured.

De Beer confirmed on Wednesday that Akita was already back in the field and that next week, she will resume her job of protecting rhinos against poachers.

Lowvelder reported in March last year that while Akita was chasing suspected poachers, she was attacked and impaled by a kudu bull, whose horns ripped through her chest.

Thanks to quick thinking from Letaba ranger Andrew Desmet, paramedics and a helicopter came to Mbombela to save Akita.

She was treated at the West Acres animal hospital before she returned to the K9 unit in the Kruger Park.

“Akita is an example to everyone that we must do everything in our power to protect our rhinos,” said De Beer. – Caxton News Service