Tanzania: How ranger dogs help to protect People, Wildlife and the economy

This is how Tanzania’s Ranger Dogs Help Protect People, the Economy and Wildlife

Some years ago, people living around the northern town of Mto wa Mbu, 100 kilometers west of Arusha, were terrorized by a spate of crimes including burglary, thefts from businesses, and even murder.

Authorities turned to a surprising source for help: a local conservation organization called Honeyguide Foundation.

While none of the incidents related to wildlife protection, Honeyguide had a specialist unit of dogs trained to track human scents from the scenes of wildlife crimes over difficult terrain, and to detect hidden contraband like elephant tusks or animal skins.

The dogs and their highly-trained handlers helped lead police investigating the Mto wa Mbu incidents to a suspect and, since his arrest, no further similar crimes have been reported.