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Anti-poaching canine unit receives four new members from the Netherlands

Anti-poaching canine unit receives four new members from the Netherlands

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism on Sunday received a boost to their anti-poaching capacityy with the arrival of four highly specialized and trained dogs from the K9 Centre in the Netherlands.

The boost to the ministry is courtesy of Old Mutual Namibia who helped procure three of ‘man’s best friends’ to help alleviate wildlife crimes such as poaching and contraband smuggling.

Speaking at the handover, Old Mutual Manager: Communications and Social Responsibility Mauriza Fredericks, said the procurement of the specialised dogs dates back to 2017 when Old Mutual partnered and pledged N$268,000 to the ministry to acquire the dogs from the Dutch K9 Centre in the Netherlands.

“These dogs will first be sent to the Waterberg Law Enforcement Training Centre before they are deployed to the north eastern regions once fully trained,” she added.

Fredericks meanwhile expressed her gratitude to the ministry for identifying only the best canines, the logistical arrangements and the continuous training and care for these new members of the K9 Unit.

The Deputy Executive Director Colgar Sikopo stressed the importance and efficiency of the K9 unit in combatting wildlife crimes. “This year poaching cases have been reduced drastically all thanks to measures that the ministry have implemented to combat poaching,” he said.

Left to right: Colgar Sikopo, Deputy Executive Director: Natural Resources Management, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Mauriza Fredericks, Manager: Communications and Social Responsibility, Old Mutual and a K9 unit officer with detection dog, Caga.

 


 

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