The Kruger National Park’s K9 unit is devastated by the death of its tracking dog, Ben, who was killed by a crocodile while on a training exercise.
Ben, a Doberman/bloodhound cross, was with his handler on the regular training exercise on Saturday night at the Kruger’s Lower Sabie Rest Camp.
Ben managed to get loose and went to the river, with the rangers assuming the dog was probably thirsty, said the K9 unit’s manager Samuel Madalane.
“We think he wanted to drink water and unfortunately, it was in the dark. He couldn’t be saved because by the time his handler got there, it was too late,” Madalane said.
Ben has contributed to many arrests, the last of which was on August 14 when he followed tracks discovered on routine patrol.
This led to the discovery of a suspected poacher who was found in possession of a backpack and an illegal rifle.
The handler was undergoing counselling, a normal process for rangers when tragic incidents occur, Madalane said. Ben and his handler had been together for eight years.
“Saturday was bad for all of us ... The amount of work that the handlers put in and the relationship they build with the team make this a loss. It’s like losing a family member. They are part of us which is why we call them our four-legged rangers... we introduce these dogs to an unforgiving environment and unforeseen circumstances and that is how he lost his life,” he said.
The Kruger Park’s tracking dogs are bought from a service provider and arrive already trained before being paired with a handler through a bonding course.
The handler then becomes a certified dog handler and the duo are certified as a team, said Madalane.
“Once the handler has healed, he will be assigned a new dog which also has to go through an evaluation and integration phase. We have to wait for the handler to be ready,” he said.
The use of tracker dogs has contributed to the fight against rhino poaching. According to the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), dogs have contributed significantly to the tracking of poachers. SAWC trains the tracker dogs and works alongside the greater Kruger National Park.
Successful anti-poaching efforts increased from between 3% and 5% without tracking dogs, to a 60% success rate with the use of both on-leash and free-running dogs, said the SAWC.
“Adding tracker dogs to the field ranger teams has really changed the game, but as their successes increase, so do the risks they face,” SAWC CEO Theresa Sowry said.
