In this edition of Field Notes, get to know our Canine Unit, meet its newest member, and watch a short film highlighting the important work they do.

– Angela Sheldrick

In our line of work, we know to never underestimate an animal: Elephants constantly astound us with their intuition, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving abilities. Hyenas — oft-dismissed by naysayers — put most creatures to shame with their sophisticated communication, coordinated movements, and strategic decision-making. Putting meaning behind ‘small but mighty,’ megaponera ants conduct military-style raids on termite colonies and treat injured comrades.

So, perhaps it is little surprise that a fellow member of the animal kingdom has emerged as one of our greatest assets in combating wildlife crime.

We established our Canine Unit back in 2016. At the time, we were building a robust anti-poaching presence in Tsavo — one that now boasts 29 teams across the wider landscape — when we realised we had a missing link. The human species is not blessed with a preternatural sense of smell. While our rangers are enormously skilled at their craft, they cannot track without visual cues. Our teams can detect the faintest footprint or the smallest broken branch betraying a foreign presence, but without these breadcrumbs, the trail runs cold. It was time to bring in partners who could help us close that gap.

In its nearly ten years of operations, our Canine Unit has emerged as a power player in the field and a highly effective complement to our wider anti-poaching efforts. The mere presence of the dogs is a deterrent, because their reputation precedes them: On several occasions, the team has tracked a poacher to their very front door. Would-be perpetrators know how effective the dogs are and give any area within their patch a wide berth.

Countless incidents over the years showcase the skills of this specialised team. There was the time Naiko tracked a perpetrator an astonishing 15 kilometres through thick bush – for comparison, a typical police dog’s track is just 1 kilometre. Or the raid on a poacher’s camp, when Zora sniffed out a pangolin destined for the black market, stuffed in a sack. Miraculously, the pangolin was still alive and was safely rehabilitated and rewilded.

A few months ago, our helicopter was doing spot checks at well-trafficked water holes. This is one of our more effective anti-poaching tactics, flying low over wildlife hotspots that might attract poachers and then dropping the Canine Unit to conduct targeted patrols.

On this particular day, the team spotted unusual signs from the air and landed near a waterhole to investigate. Before the helicopter had even shut down, they found discarded clothing beneath a bush — and with that, Aya was off like a flash. She had picked up a scent and wasn’t letting go. With the helicopter circling overhead, she wove through the bush, nose to the ground, and led the team straight to the poacher’s hiding place.

Given the ever-growing needs in the field, we knew it was time to recruit another member to the team. This is a weighty decision — there are so many qualified dogs out there, but Tsavo is no ordinary landscape. We needed a dog who was talented but balanced, able to switch on and off, with an ability to thrive in a unique and challenging environment.

To do this, we enlisted the help of our longtime partner, WD4C. Jay travelled to Europe and ‘interviewed’ hundreds of tracker dogs for the role. One young shepherd stood head and tail above the rest. Bela was friendly and eager to learn, intense and remarkably intelligent, yet also utterly enchanting. Jay put her through her paces, confirmed that his first impressions were spot-on, and we had the newest member of our team.

In late January, Bela flew over to Kenya. She was greeted at the airport by Jay and Semeli, the gifted handler who will be responsible for Bela. It was love at first sight: From that moment forward, Bela only had eyes for her handler — and it must be said that Semeli, who is a very stoic chap, seems equally smitten! Their partnership will only continue to strengthen over their shared years in the field.

From the outset, Bela embraced her new home with gusto. She spent her first few days in Nairobi, where she relished all the green grass and warm air. This northern hemisphere dog took off in grey winter, crossed the equator, and landed in paradise!

Finally, it was time to introduce Bela to her new home. This was the real test: Tsavo, especially at this time of year, is hot and dry — a world away from wintery European climes.

But Bela quashed any apprehension within minutes. Tail wagging and eyes bright, she leapt off the plane, made her rounds to greet each and every member of her welcoming committee, and then went about inspecting her new home. No scent went unsniffed, no corner uninspected.

Bela has been a star student from day one, but we never rush a new recruit — human or canine — into the field. Every addition to our Canine Unit undergoes an acclimatisation period in which their only job is to settle into their new environment, bond with their handler, and undergo a series of field exercises to ensure they’re fully prepared to move from dress rehearsal to reality.

Bela is just about to finish that phase. For the past several months, she and Semeli have been doing daily drills, faux patrols, and scenario-based training exercises. Unsurprisingly to anyone who knows her, she has excelled at each one. She is a truly extraordinary talent — and an incredibly charming dog.

I asked Jay to share his thoughts on Bela. Over the course of his storied career, he has worked with thousands of accomplished dogs — but Bela stands out. In his words: ‘Bells is a sweet-natured dog with the perfect blend of heart and drive. Whether she’s tracking, searching, or just keeping watch, she brings her A-game. Bela reinforces the belief that a dog can be both a devoted partner and an irreplaceable teammate.’

I am equally enchanted. Bela is such a joy to be around: When she spots you, she runs to you at full tilt, flops over, and proffers her belly for rubs. But the next minute, she is all business, doggedly following a track or uncovering an impossible trail. She will be a formidable asset in the field — and brighten all our days in the process.

In the past five years alone, the Canine Unit has covered an impressive 7,588 kilometres on patrol. To put that into perspective, the dogs have collectively tracked roughly the distance from Cape Town to Beijing — nose to the ground, head in the game, and hearts on the job. Their dedication has led to 75 arrests over that period.

Now, with our tail-wagging Bela in the mix, I am even more excited to see what the future holds for this special team.