K9 Conservation

04/11/2024

15/10/2024

The world needs more heroes that stand in protection of our wildlife, and Emma de Jager from Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre is one of those unsung heroes that tirelessly works to rehabilitate our local wildlife and see them back in the wild, where they belong.
We love and appreciate her for all the dedication, commitment and extreme care she puts into every animal she crosses paths with. There are very few people that match her level of dedication to her field. Please take a second to vote for her.

Introducing our next nominee for our Golden Star Award 2024.

To vote for Emma like and share this photo and tell us why you think she deserves to be this year's Golden Star.

Don't forget to follow Worldwide Vets to keep up to date with the award!

Nominator's quote: "Her love care and dedication her knowledge in the field her good heart. Her willingness to always learn"

A word from Emma: "Doing wildlife rehabilitation is one of the hardest jobs in the world.

We see the worst in people and have heartbreaking cases, but the reward of seeing these animals back in nature is priceless and I wouldn't do anything else. To be nominated for this award is an honor. For people to see the hard work that goes into it and the passion we have for what we
do is so rewarding"

Voting closes on the 14th of November- be sure to vote for your animal hero before then!

13/04/2024

The joys of taking on a poachers dog and getting him on your side. K9 Insimbi.
This was a couple days post-rescue. Nsimbi has since become a much more relaxed, balanced K9.. loving life. Our little spy.

06/04/2024

Listen to the late Credo

Check out _DBLACKOUTV.Ent_🔎’s video.

05/04/2024

18/02/2024

Update on Kalandra blue Weimaraner that i was gifted at our wedding that Anke de Rosner brought as wedding gift. After effects of snake bite by a Mozambique spitting cobra that I posted a few days ago yes the venom caused necrotic tissue damage but she is doing much better now. Thank you Hoedspruit Reptile Park for the Anti Venom and Provets for treatment on the night of the bite and Aardvark Vets Illana for your follow up treatments she is now recieving, K9 Conservation appreciates all your support

13/01/2024

Huge thanks to Ilana and JP from Aardvark Wildlife & veterinary services who assisted with the darting of a young male lion who managed to breach a fence on Thursday evening. He was later released back to safety on the game reserve 🦁

23/10/2023

It is with great sadness that K9 Anubis passed over the Golden Rainbow Bridge Yesterday. Anubis will always be remembered as a true legend of K9 Conservation. We buried him next to his faithful friend Landa at the bottom of our training ground. Thank you Anubis for your unwavering loyalty and bravery and dedication to K9 Conservation you were a true protector of the wild.
~ Conraad

Anubis
07/04/2012 - 22/10/2023

At the Duat's gate
A shadow appeared
And humbly asked if it could enter
Anubis looked down and when he saw
A fourlegged spirit standing before him
He could not stop the tear from escaping him
And as he knelt down, placing his hand on the black dog's head, he said

"You are entering now another world
And leaving the one of men behind
Are you prepared to face the scales now
And measure your heart against the feather light?"
The old dog gave a brave step forward
His body worn and weary from its earthly fight
"I am," he said with nothing to fear
For a part of his heart was left behind
to coax his human's tears

The guardian looked at the old dog and called the Others to come and see
"Come and welcome this heroic canine and pay tribute to his deeds,
His heart and soul was always strong and never faltered in his fight against humanity's greed"

Worry not to pay the boatman
Your loyalty and bravery has already covered your fee
Go right ahead and make yourself at home
There's cool water and food under a shady tree and every loved one that has crossed the rainbow bridge"

The old dogs eyes grew hazy, but clearly he could see
The others leap and bounding towards him
Ears and tails flying, familiar barks and footfalls greeted him

"What about my master?" The loyal dog asked turning back once more
The Guarding nod and smiled, he's heard this all before
Feel free to visit him if you wish,
In fact I think it needed
That every once and then you check on him while he is dreaming
But before you know it will be him
Weighing his heart against the feather
And when the time comes you'll be with him again
Forever in your heaven

~AdR

11/10/2023

Yesterday's traditional potjiekos for a group of day visitors.
October has been an action-packed month, so far! Not only in the field, but also with volunteers, film crews and demonstration days. Thank you to each and every person that has showed their support and shared our passion.

27/08/2023

Yesterday was Dog Appreciation Day!!
Our post is a day late, but that is because EVERY day is dog appreciation day for us.
We literally would not be able to do this without them.

They are not only our incorruptible allies, but also our teachers, companions, protectors, and most important of all... our family.
In the long hours away from home, in the adrenalin fuelled chase and the dark nights standing between the criminals and the beings we live to protect, there is always a loyal heart and a happy tail beside us.

And for that, we owe them the world.

Image 1- Family Portrait by Wojtec Koziara
Image 2- K9 Anubis by Alexandra Sharp
Image 3- The late K9 Niburu and his handler by Anke de Rosner
Image 4- K9 Jock by Alexandra Sharp

13/08/2023

Huge show of support and appreciation from Southern Cross Schools with lots of donated items for our precious dogs. Our rangers did a K9 demo for the eager school kids and had lots of fun. Thank you so much to the school and the ongoing support for our hard working staff and dogs!!! Donated items that cannot be used will be passed onto Paws Hoedspruit ⭐️💪🐕❤️

17/03/2023

It's Frequently Asked Friday!
Here is a question that pops up often.

"Do the rangers encounter dangerous animals often?"

The short answer is, yes. By nature of what we do, we are surrounded by wildlife all the time. The important part is to do it in a safe manner, respect the animal's space and don't become reckless as you spend more time around them.
That being said- every animal has the potential of being dangerous or acting threatened and feeling the need to defend itself. Especially wounded animals or mothers with young.

The following animals are considered dangerous game; buffalo, crocodile, elephant, leopard, white- and black rhino, and hippo. The last one may come as a surprise, and many people who do not know them well will underestimate them, but Hippo kill more humans in Africa than any other animal.
Snakes and scorpions are probably the most common dangerous creatures we come across, and unfortunately we have lost dogs to both of these.

But encountering dangerous game can be done in a safe manner; rangers are experienced and well-trained in how to work around them, understand their warning signs, and respect their space. Close encounters should not occur if one can prevent it.
The dogs are also habituated to the presence of animals in the field and trained not to react to their presence in a way that might disturb or agitate wildlife. This can sometimes be hard to do, as they are selected for their high drive. One of the ways we approach this obstacle, is that we do not allow the dogs to consume any carcass meat or hides, this is to prevent the dogs from associating wildlife with food or enrichment.

Do you have any questions for next week's Frequently asked Friday? Feel free to post them in the comments.

Photograph by Joe Watson

03/03/2023

World Wildlife Day

More than a million species are staggering around the brink of extinction as we speak.
We as humans need to make a collective effort in order to make our co-existance on this planet less detrimental to the survival of others.

Unfortunately, the poacher is not the only culprit.
People who litter, who use poison to kill insects and animals, who allow sewage to end up in our water bodies... the list goes on and on.
We are all to blame.

You do not need a conservation degree or a job title to make a difference.
Conservation starts at home, with education and better choices.

Photograph by Joe Watson

03/03/2023

If only we lived in a world where animals didn't face the horrendous trauma that Thandi faced.. Her fighting spirit is an inspiration to us all.

Well done to everyone who fought to save her. 👏

27/02/2023

Remember K9 Baron?

Baron is a GSD x Husky who came from a rehoming background.
He was a sure favorite with guests and anyone who met him and we figured you'd like an update on him.

Baron-Curtis now belongs to Canines for Africa who sponsored him to a reserve in Zimbabwe.

Baron is now a fully operational ivory detection dog- burried, hidden on vehicles, houses- you name it, he'll search and find it!

We are extremely proud of how far he's come in such a short time. Baron is living proof that it is not only purpose-bred working dogs who can do the job, but that it comes down to the heart and soul of the individual dog.

24/02/2023

It's Frequently Asked Friday!

We will be posting a series of answers to questions that are often asked by the general public.

Are there any questions you would like to know about the dogs or our jobs? Feel free to list them in the comments.

Q, "What happens when a dog retires?"

A: It depends! Young puppies destined for working lives grow up with our families, well-socialized and loved up until they are ready for the serious stuff. They become part of our families, and so often, when the harness is taken off for the last time, they return to our homes and live out their couch-potato lives. (Very well-deserved, too!)
Generally, canines retire between ages 8 - 10 years of age, depending on their general health and well-being. More often than not, they do not want the abrupt lifestyle change and so they will be semi-retired and gradually, as they feel like they do not have the energy anymore, they show us when they are ready to stay home.

Older dogs make incredible mentors for the pups in training, and will go out in the field together. Pups look up to the senior dogs, and learn directly from them. This mentorship 'training method' has proved invaluable to us in terms of the upbringing and the foundation work for upcoming working dogs.

In the cases where dogs have built unbreakable close bonds with their handlers over the years, we will give the handler the first option of adopting the dog. A strict contract is signed, home-checks are performed to ensure that his personal home is suitable to house the former working dog, and the dog becomes his own.

Each situation and each dog is different. We pride ourselves in how we view the upbringing and eventual golden years of our trusty friends, as we know that many people, unfortunately, view working animals as "easily disposable," which is not just unethical, but extremely selfish and cruel.
They work their hearts out for us, and we repay them in the kindness and comfort that they deserve.

Photo of K9 Landa, who lived out his retirement, and conquered every obstacle in his life with bravery, including cancer in the end.

23/02/2023

Your feel-good video for today 💕

21/02/2023

Volunteer Testimonial- Jared Leone

I came out to Hoedspruit in July of 2022 on the volunteer program with K9 conservation and had an incredible experience.
After stepping foot on African soil for the first time and arriving to a warm welcome, I enjoyed the best sunrise of my life at the guest cottage and hit the ground running.
I spent invaluable time with Conraad on land and reserves I would have never been able to access otherwise. I learned much from him of the bush, the real situation on the ground, and the ins and outs of an operational anti-poaching unit. Conraad is an incredibly capable and experienced tracker and warrior and you won't meet a better mentor or a more honest man. His dogs' loyalty and love for him is a testament to that. I have very fond memories out in the bush with him and the loyal Hashtag (his trusty canine) and some unique wildlife encounters and adventures.
After spending additional time with him on a large big 5 reserve with some highly capable field rangers I had the opportunity to join in on a dog handler training.
Conraad and Anke were incredibly accommodating in making this happen, and were great mentors on my journey. The dog handler training was run primarily by Anke, which was ideal as she is a very gifted trainer and teacher (and ranger) with great knowledge and experience to share on countless relevant subjects. She has a very special, unique, and genuine two way connection with animals and an amazing bond with her canine Jock.
I spent time learning about the art of tracking in the beautiful South African bush with some incredible dogs (shoutout to Mpisi) that K9 conservation did an incredible job training. I learned and honed many skills and gained very unique experience. It's a time in my life I'll always cherish, I will always have a place in my heart for the K9 conservation family, and Conraad and Anke will always be 2 of my most favorite people.
South Africa has the best meat, I miss Hoedspruit.

-Dr. Jared S Leone,
Head of kicking ass
Hard Knocks University