Welsh Dogs Help Protect Africa’s Wildlife

Quick Smiles:

• Specially trained Welsh dogs are reducing poaching in Africa
• Trainer duo Darren Priddle and Jacqui Law lead the initiative
• Dogs aid in catching poachers and safeguarding endangered species

In the scenic hills of Wales, dogs undergo unique training to help protect endangered wildlife in Africa. Their extraordinary scent-tracking skills turn them into vital allies for anti-poaching teams, often locating poachers even in challenging conditions.

Dog trainers Darren Priddle and Jacqui Law launched Dogs4Wildlife after learning about poaching in Africa. With years of experience in training dogs for specialized detection, they knew they could make a difference for conservation.

“We can deploy dogs in the UK to track people … to look for drugs, firearms, and explosives, so why could we not look at developing the dogs that we were training for conservation efforts?”

They breed and train a select number of working breeds, introducing scent work to puppies as young as three days old. These dogs are acclimated to the scents of wildlife through special sessions at Welsh zoos.

By the time the dogs are 16-18 months old, they are ready for service in African reserves, and have already contributed to lowering poaching rates. Some reserves have reported almost complete eradication of certain types of poaching thanks to these highly trained companions.

“When these reserves bring a specialist dog onto a wildlife reserve … the word spreads very quickly that the APUs now have the capability to actually catch these poachers on a more efficient and successful basis,” Priddle shared.

Stories abound of these dogs’ remarkable contributions, such as tracking poachers over great distances or saving calves caught in snares. Their presence alone often acts as a powerful deterrent to potential offenders.

Ongoing support for anti-poaching units is provided through communication apps, allowing Priddle and Law to see firsthand the positive difference their training continues to make. This partnership is not only helping endangered animals, but also strengthening bonds across continents.

Inspired by the determination of two dedicated trainers and their remarkable dogs, African wildlife has new hope for a safer future.

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