Assam: K9 dog squad offering invaluable support to Forest dept in tracking suspects involved in wildlife crime in rhino bearing areas
This K9 unit has been playing a encouraging role in detection of wildlife offenders of late by sniffing from scene of crime.
GUWAHATI- Since 2011, an elite K9 Sniffer Dog Unit run by Aaranyak has assisted rhino bearing areas in Assam to giving vital clues from scene of crime in over 100 cases of wildlife crime. This K9 unit has been playing a encouraging role in detection of wildlife offenders of late by sniffing from scene of crime.
The Sniffer Dog Unit consists of eight (8) Belgian Malinois dogs, of which two are under training. The unit has been launched way back in August 2011 by one of the country’s leading biodiversity conservation non-profit organisations, Aaranyak, to assist authorities involved in protection of wildlife heritage of the state.
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The choice of the Belgian Malinois breed was influenced by to their remarkable prey sniffing capability.
“As soon as they pick up a scent and embark on tracking, they can outrun and capture the suspect, which they can defeat if the suspect tries to elude them. Our K9 squad members, have assisted forest officials in tracing the poachers’ exit routes after rhino poaching incidents,” said internationally acclaimed conservationist of Assam and Founder of Aaranyak Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar.
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Dr Talukdar, who initiated the K9 Sniffer Dog programme of Aaranyak, added, “It ultimately results in the arrest of perpetrators by police and forest officials. Belgian Malinois are world-class sniffer dogs who create an unbreakable bond with their owners.”
The North-eastern region of India has served as a transit clandestine routes for the illegal trade of wildlife parts in recent times, especially in the state of Assam. Aaranyak lauds the effective steps initiated by Assam Government to strengthen vigil to protect the State Animal of Assam – the rhinos by enhancing trained field staffs in rhino bearing areas and proactive vigil being made by Assam Police in past few years leading to reduction of rhino poaching cases in Assam.
Patrolling duties are conducted by this elite K9 Sniffer Dog Squad along with frontline forest staffs as directed by the management of rhino bearing areas in Assam each to assist vigil and prevent intrusion of culprits.
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In addition to undergoing regular trainings, the canines receive training from a diverse group of trainers, from abroad and within India.
This sniffer dog squad often provides invaluable clues to forest officials about poachers’ escape routes following rhino poaching incidents in the state of Assam, leading to the successful arrest of culprits by both forest and police officials in various cases.
This well trained K9 squad run by Aaranyak is supported by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, NABU International Foundation and People for Nature and Peace and managed by Legal and Advocacy Division of Aaranyak.
