Assets in the fight against Laikipia’s Poaching

East Africa saw a resurgence of high levels of wildlife poaching a decade ago. Since then, strong measures in law enforcement improvements and no leniency in judicial sentences has seen this level drop significantly, although the threat always remains. Laikipia County – known for being Kenya’s stronghold for rhinos – has long been a key target for wildlife poachers. Our partner Ol Pejeta Conservancy, however, hasn’t lost a single rhino to poachers since 2017, thanks in part to well-trained rangers and some of the best bloodhounds on the planet.

Two years ago, Ol Pejeta’s working bloodhounds gave birth to 12 puppies, most of whom were sent to surrounding conservancies to bolster the wider Laikipia security K9 units. Four of them, however, stayed at Ol Pejeta and have been the recipients of extensive training as tracker dogs, provided as part of a WildLandscapes grant by the United States’ Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

By October of that year, the puppies could follow a fresh trail over 1000 meters and were gaining ground every day. Their father, Otis, is famous for being able to track a scent for well over 10 kilometers, making it unsurprising that some of the youngsters are showing special talent in this area as well. After three days of assessment by the Kenya National Police in February 2022, the puppies became fully certified to join their parents in tracking fresh scents for many miles as official working dogs, aiding in cutting-edge conservation. This February – one year after their official certification – the dogs completed further training, including a refresher on tracking training, weapons and explosives training, and more.

The impact of having effective tracker dogs in conservancy security cannot be overstated. During the last quarter of 2022, the K-9 unit and their handlers quickly and consistently reacted to emergency calls, which resulted in 17 arrests and the recovery of thousands of USD (roughly 200,000 KES) in stolen goods. Beyond resolving property theft, these dogs allow for a quick response to any incursions and can be very useful in helping local communities with things like livestock theft or even finding missing children.

The dogs’ efforts in these communities has been one of the most positive programs implemented in the landscape to date, and their presence has resulted in a great deal of goodwill towards the conservancy. When people see the tangible benefits that their ‘wild’ neighbors can bring, the benefits reach far beyond just the intended outcome.  

The success of Ol Pejeta and their bloodhounds not only highlights the importance of conservation efforts in Laikipia County and across Africa, but it also shows how wildlife protections can aid in community solutions. These working dogs represent an innovative and effective approach to tackling poaching and preserving Africa's natural heritage by keeping law and order, which extends to the communities themselves. As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to invest in conservation efforts and support initiatives that use innovative methods to protect the continent's wildlife and its communities’ peace. 

Samuel Bowlin is the Communications Director with WildLandscapes International, based in Boulder, Colorado. He can be reached at sbowlin@wildlandscapes.org.