Tracker dog unit for anti-poaching patrol in Masai Mara

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In 2009 the Mara Conservancy teamed up with the Canine Training Academy and their anti-poaching unit to establish a Bloodhound unit to assist Rangers cracking down on poachers in the Mara Triangle (510 swq Km wildlife area within the Masai Mara National Reserve).  The reserve is famous for the spectacular annual wildebeest migration.  However, the heavy bushmeat poaching problem faced in this beautiful reserve is often not known to the outside world.

Mara Conservancy rangers from anti-poaching unit patrol different areas in search of recent signs of poaching as well as the removal of sometimes hundreds of snares each month.  Due to its close proximity to the international border, areas around the reserve remain vulnerable to illegal activities. Poaching for bushmeat is common, with wildebeest, zebra and Thomson Gazelles all regularly targeted. Snares, however, are indiscriminate in what they catch and in 2008 the Reserve has lost both lions and elephants. Spears, bows and arrows are also used by hunters and in this way, hippos and a leopard was lost. 

In eight years rangers have arrested more than 1,372 poachers - an incredible number - but it is only rarely that we catch all of the poachers - upon ambush we often have escapees who are able to conceal themselves in nearby thickets, luggas, marshes etc. The canine unit has strenghened our force and has been instrumental in arrest of poachers in difficult terrain and condition (tall grass, thick riverine forest, river crossing and night ambush).   A higher success rate in the number of men arrested by the Conservancy would make poaching and rustling a less viable source of income for the local communities and bring improved security to the region.

This year we have expanded our management area and now cover over 1,000 sq Km stretch of wildlife area.  Thus we feel that there is a need to expand our patrol area using the tracker dogs and in a process of considering importation of additional tracker dog to covered the wider patrol area and to provide additional handler refresher training.  We are currently looking for organization interested in supporting conservation work in Africa, mainly to cover the following cost involved in expansion of the canine unit:

1.  Cost of bloodhound puppy in USA (US$ 1,500)

2.  Cost of transport of puppy to Kenya  (US$ 4,200)

3.  Cost of two trainers’ transportation (US$ 4,300)

4.  Cost of kennel (for 1 dogs) $1,500

Website Detail:

http://www.maratriangle.org/

Photographs - copyright L.Porter

Contact Detail:

Dr. Asuka Takita asukatakita@gmail.com

Mara Conservancy
  P O Box 63457 
Muthaiga 00619
 Nairobi, KENYA