Sniffer dogs have proved effective in a variety of
law enforcement situations around the world, but their
potential
value in protected area security situations has so
far not been thoroughly explored. However,
their
utility has recently been demonstrated in the
wider Mara ecosystem, when Mara Conservancy staff were
able
to use dogs on loan from Mugie Ltd to track and
then apprehend thieves that had stolen items from
Saruni
Camp. In light of the clear potential benefits of
having trained sniffer dogs in the MMNR, under this
management
action, Mara Conservancy staff will continue with
efforts to source suitable dogs, and, once
these
have been obtained, will subsequently train
handlers to ensure the dogs are effectively used. It is
anticipated
that this will not only help improve response to
illegal activities in the Reserve, but also serve as a
deterrent
to potential offenders.
