In the fight to end poaching, a dog is an elephant’s best friend! Through our Canines for Conservation program, we’ve unleashed these brave heroes to sniff out the most well-concealed wildlife contraband and track traffickers in notorious poaching hotspots. But it’s a dangerous job, and their identities must remain a secret. Meet the special agents who risk their lives to hound poachers and traffickers.
THE POACHING CRISIS
We need even more canine heroes urgently!
Illegal wildlife trafficking generates:
Up to $23 billion per year
Species:
Elephants
Key Fact:
10,000 — 15,000 elephants are poached each year
Species:
Black Rhinos
Key Fact:
An average of three rhinos are poached every day — in South Africa alone.
Species:
Pangolins
Key Fact:
The world’s most trafficked mammal
- Highly trained and expertly handled, our sniffer dogs are deployed in airports, seaports, and at border checkpoints to detect wildlife contraband.
- Our dogs are also working in the field, tracking poachers from their kill sites directly to their hideouts.
Key Fact:
A dog’s nose can detect scents up to 100,000 times better than a human’s.
KEY FACT:
Sniffer dogs are fast and efficient. At [redacted] Airport in [redacted], they search about 700,000 pieces of cargo every day.
Key Fact:
Canines for Conservation is now working at [redacted] Airport in [redacted] — the largest cargo handler on the continent.
WELL TRAINED DOGS ARE...
- INCORRUPTIBLE
- ACCURATE, EFFICIENT, & FAST
- A POWERFUL DETERRENT TO POACHERS & TRAFFICKERS
- AN ELEPHANT’S BEST FRIEND
Our special canine units work tirelessly to keep poachers and traffickers at bay — ready to meet our heroes?
Code Name:
The Super Sleuth
Canine ID#: 00127
Breed:
German Shepard
Age:
6 Years
In Field:
[Redacted]
Fact:
Don’t be fooled by her happy-go-lucky playful antics. This agent’s sharp focus on sniffing out contraband has made many poachers in the [redacted] region fearful of him.
Field Location:
NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS:
These dogs not only detect ivory and rhino horn, they’re also sniffing out other wildlife contraband including pangolin scales, live tortoises, and bushmeat.
Code Name:
The Ace Investigator
Canine ID#: 00145
Breed:
Springer Spaniel
Age:
6 YEARS
In Field:
[Redacted]
FACT:
This agent is a complete sweetheart after work hours — but on the job she’s nothing but business. Her methods are relentless. No matter how carefully poachers think they’ve hidden their contraband, she’ll be sure to jump to it — and alert authorities at [redacted] immediately!
Field Location:
NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS:
Since the program was established in 2014, the dogs are responsible for nearly 400 busts. Around that same period, AWF’s law enforcement trainings have raised conviction rates from about 45% to more than 90%.
Code Name:
The Steadfast Sniffer
Canine ID#: 00030
Breed:
Malinois
Age:
7 YEARS
In Field:
[Redacted]
FACT:
This tough guy from Holland secretly loves hugs — but he likes to keep that from poachers who fear his spot-on instinct and drive!
Field Location:
NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS:
Sniffer dogs check luggage at airports, cargo at seaports, and cars at checkpoints — with a 90% accuracy rate. They can detect contraband hidden in a car in less than 12 seconds and hidden in luggage in mere seconds.
SEND A MESSAGE:
YOUR WORDS WILL BE A TREAT!
Our handlers and dogs face danger every day. That’s why their identities must be protected at all costs. But they deserve recognition — so your message of gratitude is important.
Thank these heroes for all that they do! Your heartfelt note means more than you know.
