Mobile K9-unit

In recognition of the fact that the future of our continent depends on the future of our natural heritage, the Southern African Wildlife College equips people with the knowledge and applied skills to protect Africa’s biodiversity in a sustainable manner and in cooperation with local communities.

Since its inception in 1996, the College has trained more than 23 000 students from 60 countries across 130 parks to manage, rehabilitate and sustain our natural environment. 

The College is also the only applied training facility in Africa where K9-unit training happens in tandem with real operational experience. The accredited K9-unit trains rangers and dogs to assist in the detection and apprehension of poachers. They are frequently deployed in the Kruger National Park and associated private nature reserves, which is home to the largest concentration of rhinos on the planet. 

The K9-unit’s free tracking hounds have proven to be a game changer in the fight against rhino poaching, having increased anti-poaching successes on the ground from 3-5% to more than 60%. Since inception, the unit has been deployed 447 times with 83 successes. A total of 42 arrests have been made and 29 weapons confiscated. In 2023 alone, 1 560 hours were spent on training dogs and handlers from across the region. 

The K9-unit depends on donors and supporters to continue to grow and innovate. To this end, the Foundation for a Sustainable Future has partnered with the College in support of a mobile K9-unit based near Skukuza in the Kruger National Park’s intensive protection zone. 

Your contribution will equip these anti-poaching heroes to perform at their best.