On The Scent: Meet the Dogs Protecting 200 Rhinos

Over the last few months, Ol Pejeta's canine unit have been very busy with their training, and their wildlife protection activities. This includes a recent bushmeat incident within the landscape, involving our ranger team and canine unit.

Whilst illegal, bushmeat hunting has been on the rise in some remote parts of the region, possibly due to prolonged drought conditions impacting food security. Ol Pejeta works closely with the Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS) and local authorities to help reduce crime within local communities and ensure that wildlife and people live in harmony. Unfortunately, there has been little success in catching offenders, and more recently Ol Pejeta’s K9 unit were called to step in and assist the local community.

In April, Ol Pejeta received reports of bushmeat hunting and intrusions on a nearby farm. In response, our Anti-Poaching and K9 team were deployed to the scene. Upon arrival at the farm, the team located and confirmed that 50 snares had been placed across the farm for the purpose of ensnaring wildlife for bushmeat. One of the snares had caught an antelope, and the suspects had made away with the meat, leaving solely the head behind. Using the scent from the snares, tracker dog Stecy pursued the suspects to herder housing in a nearby cattle farm. A quick search of houses revealed bushmeat suspected to be from the snares found earlier that day. The evidence was handed over to the KWS and national police to take appropriate action.

Incidents like this highlight the value of the ranger team and eight dogs in the K9 unit, whose sense of smell and unique set of skills provide valuable support to both community and wildlife. It is with enormous thanks and gratitude to our ranger team and eight dogs for their diligence and daily sacrifice on the frontline.

Together we are a team, and it is the combined effort of our global community and supporters, and those on the ground, that enables us to continue ensuring both people and wildlife remain protected and safe. Thank you for your contribution to this effort.