The dogs responsible for locating the 4 tusks of illegal ivory are Jenny, a Belgian Malinois, and Dexter, an English Springer Spaniel.  Both dogs are new to Tanzanian National Parks and have undergone extensive training to prepare for their new roles.  On the day of the bust, officials were tipped off to visit a property where illegal ivory was alleged to be hidden.  While the officials came up empty, Jenny was able to locate the tusks in under a minute.  A man connected to the illegal find was taken into custody.

The intensive training

Jenny and Dexter are part of a new initiative by Wildlife Conservation Society and Tanzanian National Parks. They participated in an 18 month training program run by Wagtail UK, a dog training school in Wales.  The dogs are taught to locate ivory and guns, items associated with the poachers destroying endangered animal populations throughout Tanzania and other parts of Africa.  Once their training is complete, the dogs are flown to Ruaha, Tanzania’s largest national park.  

A similar project is being run by African Wildlife Foundation in both Kenya and Tanzania.  Kathleen Garrigan, an employee of African Wildlife Foundation, explains that their training is long term, working from cradle to maturity, and meant for both the dogs and their handlers.  For most of these handlers, this is their first time owning dogs so it is critical that they forge that bond and are able to give their canine companions love and support.  The first graduating class consisted of eight dogs and 14 handlers from Kenya Wildlife Service and Tanzania Wildlife Division.

The ivory problem

Ivory was banned worldwide in 1989 by the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species.  This ban was instituted due to the rapid decline of the African elephant population; animals being killed for their highly valued ivory tusks.  Despite the ban, it is estimated that between 30,000 and 50,000 elephants are killed every year to meet the demand of the ivory black market.  

Tanzania, as home to one of Africa’s greatest elephant populations, is often a hotspot for poachers and illegal ivory traders.  Over the last five years, Tanzania has suffered a loss of 60% of its elephant population.  Only 43,000 elephants remain today. 

Conservationists hope that increased law enforcement, special task forces, such as the tracking dogs, and efforts to curb demand in the ivory-crazed Asian markets will lead to a decline in the poaching of elephants for their ivory tusks.  

Danger of protecting elephants

Since Tanzania is brimming with poachers and illegal traders, it’s no wonder that many conservationists and good samaritans have wanted to step in and come to the aid of the African Elephant.  Unfortunately, these do-gooders face grave danger in their pursuit of animal rights and protection.

Just this January, a British helicopter pilot, Roger Gower, was fatally shot in Tanzania for helping the authorities catch poachers and illegal traders.  The heroic pilot was shot down but managed to safely land his helicopter before succumbing to his injuries.  This last manoeuvre helped to save the life of his passenger, his South African colleague, Nick Bester .  In February, five men were arrested in connection with Roger Gower’s death.  

Besides violent poachers, there are also natural risks in protecting elephants given the wildlife and terrain of Tanzania.  One of the first dogs brought over after training died due to a tsetse fly bite. The tsetse fly is common in central Africa and is known for spreading diseases, that can be fatal, among cattle and other livestock. 

Plans for the future

Dr. Tim Davenport, the country director of Wildlife Conservation Society in Tanzania, is hopeful about the success of using dogs to track ivory.  With Jenny and Dexter’s bust under their belts, Dr. Davenport believes it will only be a matter of time before we see more dogs in the field.

Will Powell, African Wildlife Foundation Conservation Canine Program Director, agrees.  He is looking to employ highly trained dogs at airports, ports and border crossings to crack down on the selling and trading of ivory tusks.  Powell explains that dogs are best for this job because of their skillful tracking abilities and adaptability; they can handle all temperatures and terrains.  His program starts with long walks early in the morning so the dogs can familiarize themselves with their new territory.  

Dr. Davenport recognizes that it will take work to train the dogs and to keep them healthy and sharp.  But he believes, as does Powell, that this special canine task force could be the answer to eliminating the poaching of African elephants and illegal trading of ivory.