The third quarter saw the successful completion of the Tracking Dog Handler Course, a four-week programme aimed at equipping participants with essential skills in dog handling, tracking, and operational response. The course, held at the Southern African Wildlife College, welcomed five dedicated students: three from Eswatini and two from South Africa. Throughout the intensive programme, participants gained valuable hands-on experience working within K9 units, learning how to communicate with, care for, and effectively deploy dogs in the field. During the course, we asked them why they wanted to do the course and what they hoped to achieve at the end of the course. The feedback from the students reflects their deep appreciation for the training and their aspirations for applying these skills in their respective roles:Â
STUDENT FEEDBACK
“My name is Mndzebele Mpendulo. I am 28 years old and from Eswatini. I am currently working for Big Game Parks. I joined the dog handling course because of my love of dogs and to bring better change in addressing rhino poaching in my home country. By the end of this course, I want to see myself as a skilled dog handler, capable of working with any dog in the field and adapting to any situation, using the tactics and common sense I’ve learned at the College.”
“I am Sibusiso Mkhatshwa, 25 years old, working for Big Game Parks Eswatini. I joined this course to gain experience in dog handling, better understand dogs, and to learn as much as possible. I love dogs, and by the end of the course, I hope to achieve a high level of professionalism. As a Game Ranger, I appreciate the great work that K9 dogs do to make our tracking work easier.“Â
“I am Axolile Joyini, 25 years old and from South Africa. I currently work for Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve. I joined the dog handling course because of my love for dogs and to help in the fight against rhino poaching. What I‘ve learned so far can make a huge difference, and by the end of the course, I want to see myself as a professional dog handler who can work under pressure, using the tactics and common sense I have gained.”Â
“My name is Shaun, and I am 23 years old. I work for Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve in South Africa. I came into the course with basic dog-handling skills, but I am eager to learn more. I love dogs, and with my passion and the knowledge gained from this course, I hope to become a confident and professional dog handler by the end of the programme.” Â
“I am Bongumenzi Fakudze from Eswatini, and I am 24 years old. I work for Big Game Parks. My time at the College has been nothing short of fulfilling. I love dogs, and being around them all day is a treat in itself. Learning more about them and working with them is a dream for me. By the end of the course, I hope to fully understand the behaviour of K9-unit dogs and work with them with ease and professionalism. I deeply appreciate this opportunity and am committed to becoming one of the best dog handlers in the practice.”
The students‘ dedication and passion for their work with dogs highlights the importance of specialised training for enhancing wildlife protection efforts across Southern Africa.Â