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Publication Quality Controller Cape Town

Rhinos get K9 team

17 Jul 2012

The first two tracker dogs, Russell and Toby, a pair of Belgian Mallanoirs have been trained at the Mechem Training Centre in Tshwane to assist in keeping South Africa's rhinos safe. Through a collaboration with The Parlotones, M-Net's The Wild and StopRhinoPoaching.com, Jacaranda FM recently raised over R570 000 to fight rhino poaching in South Africa with this specialised training.

Jacaranda FM marketing manager, Jenny Griesel, presenter Martin Bester and Russell

click to enlarge

After their official graduation last week, the canines enthralled guests with their precision and skill; through demonstrations of tracking (training for this starting as young as eight weeks of age). Toby and Russell dealt with confrontation and immobilisation of poachers and showed off a display of pulling a poacher from a moving vehicle. Russell and Toby were each awarded a medal and a Jacaranda FM/StopRhinoPoaching.com jacket.

Four key areas

The project, aims to train and deploy 10 tracker dogs in national and regional reserves this year. Their training will focus on the four key areas needed for effective on-the-ground support, viz. weapon detection, horn detection, tracking in the bush and hot scene intervention.

"This is the next step in the station's continuous fight against rhino poaching. Through various interventions, fundraising initiatives and awareness campaigns, it has managed to make significant strides against rhino poaching," said Jacaranda's marketing manager Jenny Griesel.

The dogs and their training are financed purely through the funds raised by the initiative. To ensure their long-term protection, Lloyds of London, via Businessure, provide insurance.

Russell and Toby will be deployed in Pilanesberg and the Kruger National Park respectively.