Tighter Anti-Poaching Systems Put in Place at Hluhluwe IMfolozi Park

By: Mfundo Mabaso

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has established a K9 unit that operates inside the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, north of the province, in its fight against rhino poaching.

The K9 Unit has adopted a proactive approach to apprehend poachers before they poach rhinos and currently consists of two handlers and two ‘cold scent’ dogs, which can follow older scents for up to 8 hours old.

Between November 16 and 23 last year, seven white rhino carcasses were found at Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park after being killed by poachers.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson, Musa Mntambo, says there are already further expansion plans in place to establish a detection unit for gates (to check vehicles and people for animal products and firearms.