In South Africa’s Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP), the K9 Unit plays a key role in protecting the Park’s wildlife. The dogs work closely with their handlers, tracking scents through dense bush, and uncovering evidence that would be impossible for humans to detect alone. Every day, rangers rely on the dogs’ keen noses, stamina and intelligence to track poaching suspects across rough terrain and through dense vegetation. Thanks to the dogs’ ability to pick up a faint scent or notice the smallest disturbance, the Park has an improved ability to intercept illegal activities before rhinos or other threatened species are poached. In South Africa, dogs are a key part of anti-poaching teams; units that use them have seen arrest rates reach 54% compared to ranger patrols without dogs (a 3-5% success rate)i. In HiP, the intention is the K9 Unit will ensure a similar degree of success in apprehending suspects during pursuits.
The Dutch Shepherd is one of the most effective and widely used dogs in K9 units across the world due to its unique skillset. With more than 200 million scent receptors, they can track a scent trail for several kilometres through dense bush, before sniffing out hidden contraband such as rhino horns, weapons, narcotics and explosives, with more than 90% accuracy. Dutch Shepherds are strong, athletic dogs built to work hard for long periods.
Working alongside the Dutch Shepherds, American Hounds are renowned for their extraordinary cold-scent tracking abilities. Where the Dutch Shepherds can readily follow a fresher trail, these Hounds can detect and hold onto scents that may be a few days old. These dogs are invaluable in cases where a potential poaching suspect has had a significant head start, or when older tracks need to be followed for long distances. Known for their determination, strong noses, and natural hunting instincts, American Hounds can trail a scent for hours before losing focus.
During training, the Unit’s newest American Hound, Mafu, has shown incredible promise, completing tracking exercises that last from four hours to overnight and covering up to 7km per track. Meanwhile, the Dutch Shepherds continue to excel, routinely completing 13km training tracks and finding hidden items like poachers’ bags, ammunition, and other planted evidence. Working together, the Hound and Dutch Shepherds form a strong team: if one dog loses a trail, the other usually picks it up, making it easier for their handlers and improving the chances of a successful track.
Their rigorous training has been paying off. During a night patrol, rangers at HiP received a report of suspected poachers travelling on foot through the Park. The K9 Unit was immediately deployed, with the Dutch Shepherds leading the tracking effort. Using their keen noses, the dogs followed the trail for several kilometres through dense bush under the cover of darkness. Their ability to navigate the terrain and stay on the faint scent proved crucial. The dogs successfully located one of the suspects and safely apprehended him, allowing the rangers to recover bags containing rhino horn, ammunition, and a gun silencer. Without the dogs, tracking the poachers in the dark, over such difficult terrain, would have been near impossible, and the evidence might have been lost. The K9 Unit has been indispensable in protecting wildlife and ensuring that illegal activities are thwarted before any harm can come to the Park’s wildlife.
Between January and December 2025, the K9 Unit was deployed many times on tracks, with the dogs also deployed to other areas such as house searches and roadblocks. As the Unit’s new American Hound continues to develop her skills alongside the Dutch Shepherds, the combination is expected to significantly increase the success rate of future operations as their bond strengthens.
HiP’s K9 Unit gives the rangers a formidable toolkit: Dutch Shepherds bring speed, versatility, and deterrence, and American Hounds provide the patient, long-range tracking power that ensures no trail goes cold. With each dog playing to its breed’s strengths, the Unit has become an impressive team.