SAWC hound project wins innovation award
This prize is for a group effort between SAWC, KNP section rangers and the park's air wing to get this project operational and make it a success factor in counter-poaching.
The Southern African Wildlife College’s (SAWC) Free Tracking Hound project has made its mark.
It received the innovation award at the Kruger National Park (KNP) Marula South regional achievement awards, held at the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre at Skukua on February 7.
This prize is for a group effort between SAWC, KNP section rangers and the park’s air wing to get this project operational and make it a success factor in counter-poaching.
The achievement awards recognise employees who have excelled in their respective fields and celebrate peers and colleagues serving SANParks in conservation. The college was represented by CEO Theresa Sowry and Johan van Straaten of the SAWC K9 unit.
The event highlighted the continued need for efforts and integrity in anti-poaching attempts. This year’s ceremony also paid tribute to Respect Mathebula, a SANParks field ranger and past student of SAWC who lost his life in the field in July last year.
The innovation award was given to the SAWC in recognition of engineering a successful approach towards locating and apprehending suspected poachers within the KNP.
“This award is particularly meaningful as it acknowledges recognition for the SAWC’s efforts in countering poaching by our peers and colleagues. Our four-tiered approach, which includes well-trained field rangers, our K9 capability, aerial support and community interventions, is proving to be a game changer. It is nothing less than humbling to share the stage with others who are serving SANParks in conservation,” said Sowry upon receiving the award.
