The Malilangwe Trust K9 Unit

Patrolling the reserve where our Singita Pamushana and Malilangwe House guests go on safari, are these two new recruits: Kairo and Djemba. They are the latest members of the anti-poaching team that continues to be proactive and intuitive, and are the founders, along with their dedicated handlers, of the Conservation Canine Unit.

While they are still youngsters these two Doberman x Bloodhound dogs have had 12 months of intensive training during the critical development phase in their first year.

We are delighted to say that since they have been with us they have settled in well and are proving to be enthusiastic and highly talented workers. These dogs, selected for their exceptional tracking abilities, play a crucial role in detecting poachers and preventing illegal activities. Dogs possess remarkable olfactory capabilities, allowing them to detect scents at incredibly low concentrations - up to 100 000 times better than humans. This acute sense of smell enables them to track both animals and humans over long distances and through challenging terrain. While humans mainly rely on visual cues and technology, dogs can pick up on subtle scent trails that often go unnoticed, making them invaluable partners in conservation efforts. Their instincts and agility in the field provide a significant advantage in tracking down poachers before they can inflict harm.

As these dogs continue to demonstrate their prowess in tracking and detecting, they embody a powerful symbol of hope for anti-poaching efforts and conservation. We all wish them a warm welcome and a long successful career, doing what they love!

In their full working harnesses Kairo and Djemba run through a training schedule, noses to the ground.