Three young tracking hounds are being put through their paces in the Kalahari as part of an initiative exploring how canine and mounted anti-poaching teams can work together to protect wildlife.
Frankie, Harvey and Luigi, three 18-month-old Blue Tick Coonhounds from Luna Hounds’ Bravo litter, were deployed to Lalibela Kalahari in May. It is the first assignment for the trio and their first experience working alongside rangers on horseback.
The hounds work off-leash and at speeds that make it difficult for rangers on foot to keep up. The free-running pack hound approach was pioneered by Richard Sowry at the Southern African Wildlife College where Luna Hounds Founder Robynne Oosthuizen previously trained and worked.
In dense Lowveld bush, helicopters are typically used to follow the fast-moving hounds and deploy rangers once a suspect is located. The more open terrain of the current deployment is providing an opportunity to test whether mounted rangers can fulfil this role.
Early training results have been promising. The dogs are completing 5-6km training tracks despite the Kalahari heat, successfully following mock poachers attempting to disguise their routes by doubling back, crossing waterholes and climbing trees or termite mounds.
Most recently, Harvey and Frankie completed a 5.2km track that was an hour old in just 18 minutes. The route included three road crossings, two scent pools and several open areas. The dogs remained focused despite passing groups of wildlife.
The hounds have not yet been deployed on a live track as they continue settling into their new environment and building relationships with their handlers.
Luna Hounds Founder Robynne Oosthuizen hopes the deployment will demonstrate the potential of combining free-running hounds with mounted anti-poaching units, particularly for reserves without access to helicopters.
“My dream is to see this pack successfully integrated with the mounted APU and that the teams work well together. I think it could be one of the most formidable anti-poaching forces, especially for those who don’t have access to helicopters,” she said.
Wild Wonderful World Conservation, which supports Luna Hounds, committed R200 000 (US$12 350) towards the training of the Bravo Pack in 2025. It has also facilitated individual sponsorships of the hounds, including the sponsorship of Harvey’s training.
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