HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Nov 24: Since 2011, an elite K9 Sniffer Dog Unit run by Aaranyak has been assisting rhino-bearing areas in Assam by providing vital clues from crime scenes in over 100 cases of wildlife crime. This K9 unit has been playing an encouraging role in the detection of wildlife offenders by sniffing out evidence from crime scenes.
The Sniffer Dog Unit consists of eight Belgian Malinois dogs, two of which are currently under training. The unit was launched in August 2011 by Aaranyak, one of the country’s leading biodiversity conservation non-profit organisations, to assist authorities in protecting the state’s wildlife heritage.
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The choice of the Belgian Malinois breed was influenced by their remarkable prey-sniffing capabilities.
“As soon as they pick up a scent and embark on tracking, they can outrun and capture suspects, overpowering them if the suspects try to escape. Our K9 squad members have assisted forest officials in tracing poachers’ exit routes after rhino poaching incidents,” said internationally acclaimed conservationist and Aaranyak founder Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar.
Dr Talukdar, who initiated Aaranyak’s K9 Sniffer Dog program, added, “This 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 handlers.”
The Northeastern region of India has recently served as a clandestine transit route for the illegal wildlife trade, particularly in Assam. Aaranyak lauds the effective steps initiated by the state government to strengthen surveillance to protect the state animal of Assam – the rhino. These measures include enhancing trained field staff in rhino-bearing areas and proactive surveillance by Assam Police in recent years, leading to a reduction in rhino poaching cases in the state.
Patrolling duties are carried out by this elite K9 Sniffer Dog Squad along with frontline forest staff, as directed by the management of rhino-bearing areas in Assam, to bolster vigilance and prevent the intrusion of culprits.
In addition to regular training, the canines are trained by a diverse group of trainers, both from abroad and within India.
This dog squad often provides invaluable clues to forest officials about poachers’ escape routes following rhino poaching incidents in Assam, leading to the successful arrest of culprits by both forest and police officials.
This well-trained K9 squad, managed by the Legal and Advocacy Division of Aaranyak, is supported by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, NABU International Foundation, and People for Nature and Peace.
