New dogs join anti-poaching unit to protect rare rhino

Two dogs are undergoing training to join a team of canine conservationists tasked with protecting one of the most endangered animals on the planet.

IFAW is working with partners Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) in Indonesia to train a team of dogs, specifically skilled to combat poaching and trafficking of the rare Javan rhino.

IFAW’s K9 Technical Director Frederic Chappée is leading the training of Jasper and Rocky, Belgian Malinois breed dogs, who are part of the IFAW-JAAN K9 anti-poaching unit. They will join Rimba in tracking poachers by following their movements and by detecting objects abandoned or hidden along their paths, such as snares or weapons.

The training is based on remote technical support combined with field sessions.

“They don’t wear capes. They just have a wet nose, a wagging tail, and an extraordinary talent for protecting biodiversity. These dogs represent a strategic asset in combating poaching, particularly in Ujung Kulon National Park, where the survival of the last Javan rhinos is at stake,” Mr Chappée said.

“Behind these dogs are their handlers. Day after day, they train, educate, and work hand in paw with these four-legged partners to combat poaching and illegal trafficking. These teams are true guardians of nature.”

Rimba has been part of the team since 2024 and is the most experienced, having helped to detect countless snares in that time. He is five years old and is described as “unstoppable”.

Rocky is the youngest dog in the team. Before joining JAAN, he suffered from kennel syndrome. He was terrified of leaving his kennel and was very unsure of the world outside. Months of dedication, patience and training from his handler and the team have resulted in Rocky transforming into a happy and confident dog.

Jasper is the newest dog to join the team and is showing great promise. He loves tracking and searching in the forest and has already had great success in finding the tracks of poachers.

“For the dogs, it’s a game. They love the search while they are rescuing and protecting one of the world’s rarest species,” JAAN co-founder Femke den Haas said.

“I am extremely proud of this unit. The team works under very rough conditions in the field and are so dedicated to form a strong anti-poaching unit. It’s the first anti-poaching unit in Indonesia and has already proved its importance with findings in the field.”

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
0460 432 901

Notes: 

• 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. 

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.