IFAW boosts fight against wildlife crime with new K9 unit and vehicles

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has handed over new houses for dog handlers and two Land Cruiser vehicles to the dedicated K9 unit rangers at Zambezi National Park and Matetsi Unit 5.

At the ceremony held on Tuesday, Alleta Nyahuye, IFAW Zimbabwe’s director, handed over the keys to two brand-new Land Cruisers to Dr. Fulton Mangwanya, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority’ director general before touring the houses.

At the Zambezi camp, the K9 houses  initiative includes the use of detection dogs, training of the handlers and the establishment of K9 operating procedures working with their partners.

Nyahuye emphasized: “We also handed over two patrol vehicles valued at a US$100 000, this is significantly aid the fight against wildlife crime, enabling teams to respond more quickly and enhance their operations in the Matetsi landscape.”

The homes were built through the partnership between ZimParks and IFAW.

Nyahuye noted: “These homes symbolise our gratitude for the K9 team’s incredible efforts to protect Zimbabwe’s wildlife.”

Dr. Mangwanya officiated the event and appreciated the work done by IFAW.

He said: “It will (also) allow the continuous trainings and support needed by the K9 units as a way of increasing and strengthening wildlife protection in other potential areas.”

Dr. Mangwanya highlighted the significance of the K9 unit: “The establishment of this K9 facility signifies our deep commitment to enhancing the capabilities of our K9 and blue tick dogs in tracking poachers who have become increasingly sophisticated in their anti-tracking methods where they are actually using silencers and infrared lenses and they can actually see at night.”

IFAW will today handle over 100 bicycles to students living around Hwange National Park as a way to mitigate human wildlife conflicts.