Dogs trained to protect wildlife have saved 45 rhinos from poachers in South Africa

A pack of dogs that trained to protect wildlife have already saved 45 rhinos from poachers in South Africa. The dogs, who range from a beagle to bloodhound, began training from birth and learnt how to handle all the pressures of real operations before working at 18 months-old. Sean Viljoen, who is based in Cape Town, shared photographs of the dogs in action at the Southern African Wildlife College in Greater Kruger National Park. The 29-year-old is the owner of a production company called Conservation Film Company which aims to bring cinematic storytelling to the characters on the frontline of conservation and share stories of hope. Johan van Straaten, who is a K9 Master at the college, said: "The data we collect for this applied learning project aimed at informing best practice, shows we have prevented approximately 45 rhino being killed since the free tracking dogs became operational in February 2018. The pack of dogs have saved the lives of 24 rhinos (Image: Sean Viljoen / SAWC / Ivan Carter WCA / Caters News) "In the areas where the Southern African Wildlife College patrol, the success rate of the dogs is around 68 per cent using both on and […]

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