Botswana wildlife rangers trained on handling sniffer dogs to detect ivory

ARUSHA, Tanzania, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The war against elephant poaching in Botswana got a boost on Saturday when wildlife rangers from the southern African country graduated from a ten-week intensive course on handling canines that are used to detect ivory at ports of entry.

Fifteen rangers from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks participated in the course to strengthen their skills in handling sniffer dogs that are an integral part of anti-poaching war.

The course was sponsored by Nairobi based conservation lobby, African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and implemented by Canine Specialists Services International based in Arusha, Tanzania.

"Wildlife rangers who are skilled in handling sniffer dogs will help redefine the battle against elephant poaching in Botswana and the larger Southern African region," said Philip Muruthi, Vice President in charge of species conservation at AWF.

He revealed that ten canines will soon be deployed to Botswana to boost detection of ivory trafficked illegally through the country's borders.

Botswana is the fifth African country after Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique to benefit from skills upgrade for wildlife rangers to enable them handle sniffer dogs effectively.

Muruthi noted that detection canines have revolutionized the war against poaching in these countries that have the highest population of elephants in the continent.

"The deployment of sniffer dogs at ports of entry has unleashed positive results in countries affected by poaching as evidenced by regular arrest of criminals involved in ivory trafficking," said Muthuri.

Botswana has rolled out a raft of initiatives to enhance protection of its elephants' population which is the highest in Africa.

Imani Pointer Stephen, the Deputy Commander, Anti-poaching unit at the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Botswana said that enactment of new legislation coupled with political goodwill has strengthened the protection of iconic land mammals in Botswana.

"We are determined to end poaching and have focused on regional cooperation, training of rangers and law enforcement to contain this crime," Pointer Stephen said. Enditem