New canine graduate joins team protecting endangered rhino

One of the most endangered animals on the planet has a new four-legged ally working to protect it from poachers.  

IFAW and the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) in Indonesia have teamed up to train dogs specifically skilled to combat poaching and trafficking of the rare Javan rhino. 

The Javan rhino is the rarest of the world’s five remaining rhino species. They once roamed across south and southeast Asia but can now only be found in Ujung Kulon National Park, a protected area on the island of Java, Indonesia. 

Jasper is the newest recruit to the IFAW-JAAN K9 anti-poaching unit, after officially completing his year-long training this October. He is a two-year-old Belgian Malinois.  

IFAW’s canine technical director Frederic Chappée has been leading the training of the dogs, which is based on remote technical support combined with field sessions. 

“Jasper is a young and energetic dog showing great promise. During his final test, he not only found two snares hidden in the simulation exercise but also found real people who were illegally fishing in the river within the park,” Mr Chappée said. 

“Behind every wet nose and wagging tail is a highly trained conservation partner. These dogs are helping rangers stay one step ahead of poachers and giving the critically endangered Javan rhino a better chance of survival.” 

Despite being new to the field, Jasper has already proven his value by helping find illegal bird poachers. This enabled park management to pursue legal action, demonstrating the power of conservation dog units in anti-poaching efforts. 

Jasper will join Rimba, who has been a part of the team since 2024 and has helped detect countless snares during that time.  

“What makes these dogs so special is that they genuinely enjoy the work. Every discovery is a reward for them, while at the same time, they’re helping protect one of the most endangered animals on the planet,” JAAN co-founder Femke den Haas said. 

“I am extremely proud of this unit. They work under challenging conditions, and their dedication has helped build Indonesia’s first anti-poaching dog unit into a proven force for wildlife protection.”  

IFAW has been working with JAAN for more than a decade to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks, train law enforcement teams (including tracking dogs), and ensure animals confiscated from illegal trade receive the best care. 

ENDS 

Press contact: 
Dominica Mack 
dmack@ifaw.org    
+61 460 432 901 

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) - IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org  

About JAAN - JAAN is a non-profit organisation that strives to reduce animal suffering and provide them better living conditions. We believe that no animal deserves cruelty and no wild animal should spend its life in captivity. At JAAN, we envision a world where all animals are treated with compassion and respect. Our mission is to protect animals from cruelty and exploitation, and to promote animal welfare through proactive measures and community involvement. We believe that education and awareness are key to driving change and fostering a society that values and protects its animal inhabitants.