After a tragic loss in 2019 of one of CLZ’s K9 warriors, the organisation managed to secure funds to support the expansion of the DNPW/CLZ K9 Unit. Through funding, CLZ was able to bring in two new dogs, more personnel and an in-depth training to enhance the successes of the Unit.
Following the completion of a thorough 4-month training course by Invictus K9, with the new dogs and heightened skill levels under their belts, the men and women of the K9 Unit began operations in and around the Lower Zambezi National Park to help intercept the illegal wildlife trade and bring down mid to higher tier syndicates.
All three dogs have been involved in operations and each dog has recorded successes. Most notably, K9 Bar performed a phenomenal 30km track resulting in an arrest, K9 Hammer indicated on and led to the arrest of a suspect transporting Python Skins and other wildlife products and K9 Kalo indicated on an axe and a person trafficking hippo meat.
Photo Credit: Michael Hensman, Invictus K9
From July to December 2020, the K9 Unit worked in collaboration with the other specialised teams – the Rapid Response Unit and the Investigations and Intelligence Units as well as conducted operations on their own through their improved and sophisticated informer networks. Following the alarming rates of elephant poaching over five years ago, CLZ set up these specialised units in order to work proactively to bring down the poaching in the Lower Zambezi. Over the years, through efforts from all the DNPW/CLZ law enforcement units, the elephant poaching has decreased by 90% from 2016 to 2020. Simultaneously, there has also been an increase in arrests and the confiscations of illegal products. While these exponential successes in the field are protecting the wildlife, there is still need to maintain efforts and ensure continued protection.
The K9 successes from July to December 2020 included the apprehension of 22 poachers and an additional 36 illegal miners during a special joint-effort helicopter operation. The unit has also been responsible for the removal of 4 illegal firearms from the system and the confiscation of 1 piece of illegal ivory, 10 rounds of ammunition and 368 kg of bushmeat. This hard-working team is motivated and will continue to push themselves in the field in order to get results, while the dogs will continue to be trained and taken care of.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union through IUCN Save Our Species. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Conservation Lower Zambezi and do not necessarily reflect the views of IUCN or the European Union.
In March 2020, the expansion of the DNPW/CLZ K9 Unit with two new working dogs – Kalo and Hammer began. Over the last four months Invictus K9 has been training both new dogs as well as a new handler and kennel keeper. The original handlers and remaining dog have also been simultaneously undergoing refresher training in order to upgrade and reinforce their current skills whilst also introducing new techniques to be utilised during operations.
Credit: Hugo Bigara
Detection is one of the core skills developed in the dogs early on with both Kalo and Hammer having successfully imprinted on the scent of firearms, ammunition, ivory, pangolin scale, rhino horn, bushmeat and skins. This is done through exposure to the items in question then using positive reinforcement when the dog successfully indicates on the scent. Throughout training the dogs were also exposed to different environments in order to help strengthen their detection skills and also train them to ignore physical distractions such as loud noises and new people. Once the dogs had learned to detect and indicate on a scent without a visual stimulus baggage searches were also conducted to imitate those held during vehicle check points. Vehicle check points are important in tackling the illegal wildlife trade as they aid in intercepting and disrupting trafficking channels. Both Kalo and Hammer are now able to conduct open area searches, building searches, vehicle check points and baggage searches with ease and great enthusiasm.
Credit: Michael Hensman
In the Lower Zambezi, the dogs experience particularly high temperature levels making them susceptible to heat stress which has detrimental effects to their health and ability to perform. In order to mitigate this issue, part of the training program has involved teaching handler’s the dangers of heat stress for the dogs and how to effectively manage their dog’s temperature. This has been achieved through a number of walks and small-scale operations in high temperature environments. These activities have also worked to help the dogs acclimatise to the weather conditions of the Lower Zambezi and increase their overall fitness levels. At the end of June, the unit made the 14km walk up Mt. Chilapira showcasing the endurance of both the dogs and handlers and their ability to cope with heat and exertion.
Credit: Michael Hensman
It is also imperative to familiarise the new dogs with the different modes of transport they will encounter when on operations such as vehicles, boats and aircrafts. These modes of transport were incorporated into training exercises in order to gradually expose the dogs and give the trainer’s time to monitor their reactions closely. Both Kalo and Hammer quickly overcame any initial apprehension to new modes of transport and also didn’t display any signs of motion sickness which will be incredibly beneficial in the field.
Credit: Michael Hensman
An unusual aspect of training came in the form of two chickens. When conducting vehicle searches and village sweeps the dogs regularly encounter livestock, which often distracts them from the task at hand. Two chickens were procured and kept in the kennel area in order for the dogs to become accustomed to their scent, sounds and movements. During training the three canines initially showed a slight interest in the chickens particularly when they made sudden movements or loud noises, however they quickly learned to focus solely on detection and are now able to conduct tasks without allowing the chickens to distract them. When out on operations this element of training will be incredibly useful in helping streamline vehicle searches and village sweeps as the dogs should ignore all forms of domesticated livestock.
Credit: Michael Hensman
With the advanced training course now complete we look forward to seeing how the unit will operate in the field and what further impact they will have on CLZ’s efforts to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union through IUCN Save Our Species. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Conservation Lower Zambezi and do not necessarily reflect the views of IUCN or the European Union.
Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) is a grassroots NGO based in the Lower Zambezi, working alongside the local wildlife authority – the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), to protect the incredible wildlife of the area.
While the fast-paced nature of wildlife conservation caught up to CLZ in July of 2019 when the organization sadly lost one of its tracking and detection dogs, we were fortunate to receive multiple grants dedicated to the continuity of the CLZ/DNPW K9 Unit, allowing the purchase of two new dogs, the recruitment of a kennel keeper and a third handler, the procurement of new specialized equipment and the expansion of the kennels at the CLZ Basecamp.
On 11th March our two new working dogs will arrive in Lusaka and after months of organization and preparations, we can finally welcome our new chosen stars.
Invictus K9, the organization brought in to do the selection and training course, went to the Netherlands to test and assess multiple dogs and they have made their final decision…Meet Kalo and Amor, two beautiful pure bred Malinois.
Kalo and Amor will be trained as detection dogs to find ivory, rhino horn, bush meat, ammunition, firearms, cat skins and pangolins, which will help us immensely in our fight against poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.
Over the last few months we have been working hard at CLZ to extend our kennels and make sure the dogs will be safe and comfortable in their new accommodation. We are still doing final touches now, but everything will be ready for them when they arrive at their new home in the Lower Zambezi.
CLZ can’t express the level of excitement for the two new dogs and the continuation of the specialized and strong forced K9 Unit. This K9 Expansion is funded by IUCN Save Our Species, co-funded by the European Union, Lion Recovery Fund, the International Elephant Foundation and the Berry Family Trust and Adrian Scripps. Thank you to these donors for their rapid response in allowing CLZ to continue the fight against wildlife crime. Without donors such as these, CLZ would not be able to have this impact on the conservation of the incredible Lower Zambezi.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union through IUCN Save Our Species. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Conservation Lower Zambezi and do not necessarily reflect the views of IUCN or the European Union.
It is with a heavy heart that CLZ report the death of Lego – one of our detection and tracking dogs in the CLZ/DNPW Dog Unit, who died on Saturday 22ndJune 2019 from poisoning. The case is being taken very seriously and samples are being analysed and investigations carried out to determine whether it was intentional or accidental.
Lego was an exceptional working dog and a big part of the CLZ team since 2016 and has contributed to about 108 operations and to the apprehension of 82 poachers and the confiscation of 12 pieces of ivory, 40 firearms and 960kgs of bushmeat.
CLZ would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Liza Oparaocha and her assistants for their tireless efforts giving Lego the best chance of survival that he could have gotten and to Dr. Ian Parsons for his expert opinions and support.
It is a great loss for CLZ, DNPW and our efforts within the Lower Zambezi and for the handlers who have spent three years with Lego, taking care of him and working alongside him.
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It is with a heavy heart that CLZ report the death of Lego – one of our detection and tracking dogs in the CLZ/DNPW Dog Unit, who died on Saturday 22ndJune 2019 from poisoning. The case is being taken very seriously and samples are being analysed and investigations carried out to determine whether it was intentional or accidental.