Job: Working dog trainer and field ranger
Work base: South Africa
Favourite animal: Honey badger and Wild dog
Describe your work in one sentence?
I’m training operational working dogs and handlers for conservation purposes.
What does a normal day at work look like?
We start our days early to try and beat the African heat. When training, we meet ranger teams in the bush to set up different kinds of tracks for the dogs to improve their detection and apprehension skills. Dogs need constant maintenance training, so we alternated them throughout the week. The teams deployed patrol the bush on foot, looking for footprints of possible poachers or snares, they do fence checks and monitor the rhinos to make sure they are in good health.
Why is conservation important to you?
I have always been infatuated by wildlife and the natural world. Unfortunately these wild places are under great threat. I do not want to know a world without green grass, big trees, clean rivers, beaches and seas. As well all the wonderful animals roaming this planet. If it’s the only thing I ever get to do in my life, I’ll spend as much time as possible outdoors, trying my best to conserve what we have left and instill a passion in others to do the same.
When and why did you found Kilo9 Kennels?
Kilo9 Academy was founded in 2016. After years of working in the bush as a field ranger, I realized how dogs could greatly assist in our operations. Tracking of suspects, searching vehicles for firearms or animal products, etc. Now in 2024, it is common for most reserves to have multiple dogs.
What role do dogs play in conservation?
There are many roles our k9 companions play, from law enforcement to contributing to research. Tracking dogs can be trained to follow scent trails left behind in many different ways. We can track humans for police or rescue purposes, but we can also track elusive animals like Pangolins to assist in collecting important information. Detection dogs are used to find anything from poacher’s firearms, rhino horns or even invasive plant species.
What is your most memorable working day so far?
Several instances have occurred, yet the gratifying sense of accomplishment consistently comes from saving lives. Responding to wildlife threats and effectively preventing attacks brings an unparalleled feeling of purpose and achievement. Knowing that there are no dead rhino carcasses or orphaned baby rhinos the following day brings a sense of purpose and accomplishment unmatched by any other.
What is it like working with dogs as your closest colleagues?
Amazing, they are always happy to see you and never have anything bad to say!
What has this job taught you?
Patience, a sense of purpose, and a lot of self-sacrifice
What are your future dreams with Kilo9?
Having a permanent and secure home base from where we can continue to train and develop high-level working dogs, handlers, and future trainers for conservation applications.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Talking to animals, obviously!
