India celebrates a big achievement in saving wildlife as 12 new sniffer dog teams join the mission. This effort started back in 2008 with just two dogs but has grown a lot since then. The goal is to stop people from doing illegal things to animals and plants.

Inspector General of BTC-ITBP, Panchkula Haryana, lauded the milestone achievement, extending congratulations to TRAFFIC and WWF-India. Recognizing their collaborative efforts, he emphasized the critical role played by BTC-ITBP in honing the skills of the sniffer dogs through modern training methodologies tailored to address the nuances of combatting wildlife crime.

The recent batch of 12 dogs, accompanied by their 24 handlers, embarked on a rigorous training regimen at the Basic Training Centre, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Panchkula, Haryana. Over a span of seven months, the young Belgian Malinois underwent specialized training, equipping them with the proficiency to detect and deter wildlife crimes effectively.

The training has different parts. First, they learn to trust each other and then they learn basic things like sitting and staying. Later, they learn to use their noses to find illegal stuff. They even practice finding these things in places like bags, cars, and with people.

Following the culmination of their training, the 12 newly minted wildlife sniffer dog squads are poised to assume active duty across strategic locations in seven states. From the verdant expanses of Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha to the rugged terrain of Palamu Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand, these canine units will fortify conservation efforts at key wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves nationwide.

Dr. Merwyn Fernandes, Associate Director at TRAFFIC’s India Office, expressed gratitude to the training centers instrumental in nurturing this initiative over the past decade. The collaborative efforts of the Basic Training Centre, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (BTC-ITBP), Panchkula, Haryana; National Training Centre for Dog (NTCD), BSF Academy, Tekanpur Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh; and 23rd Battalion Special Armed Force Police Dog Training Centre, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, have been pivotal in shaping the success of this program.

With unwavering confidence, Dr. Fernandes affirmed the pivotal role envisioned for the new batch of wildlife sniffer dog squads in safeguarding India’s rich biodiversity. Drawing parallels with their predecessors already making tangible contributions in the field, he underscored their potential to serve as stalwart guardians of the nation’s wild flora and fauna.

As these dog heroes prepare to start their journey protecting wildlife, they represent hope in the fight against wildlife crime. Their sharp senses and strong commitment embody the teamwork needed to save India’s natural treasures for the future.

The new wildlife sniffer dog teams will join forest departments in Uttarakhand (4), Odisha (2), Chhattisgarh (2), Jharkhand (1), Madhya Pradesh (1), Maharashtra (1), and West Bengal (1). They’ll work in places like Similipal Tiger Reserve, Palamu Tiger Reserve, Pench Tiger Reserve, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Gomardha Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kalagarh Division, Corbett Tiger Reserve, and Rajaji Tiger Reserve.