deployments
Going above and beyond
Pit-Track is a well trained and specialized K9 Anti-Poaching Unit. Our field rangers are DH qualified in the art of human scent tracking and our DH 5 accredited substance detection handlers are all well equipped with knowledge and in field experience to be able to fulfill any function within a dangerous game area. Our unit is deployed in various high-risk key areas on the protection of endangered species and has a belief that there is strength in unity. We strive to provide additional support to various Anti-Poaching Units around Southern Africa by way of much needed equipment on the ground. We have contraband detection K9s, human scent tracking K9s who work as a pack, and patrol and protection K9s, making our unit one of the most diverse in industry. Our accredited wildlife contraband detection K9s assist in outside operational searches when the need arises.
Anti-Poaching
Detection & Research
An initiative in collaboration between Great Plains Foundation – Project Ranger initiative under Dereck and Beverly Joubert, alongside the Center for Environmental Forensic Science at the University of Washington under Professor Sam Wasser. Our team has been given a mandate to conduct pangolin scat collection to build up a database of pangolin DNA throughout Africa, commencing in South Africa. This process is being conducted in reserves that have populations of Ground Temmincks Pangolin, as well as reserves that fall into their historic natural habitat and home range.
In collaboration with teams on the ground, we conduct in-field research to obtain faecal matter reference samples from as many different individuals as we can within the reserve’s greater population. Our accredited substance detection and tracking K9s assist in overcoming the immense challenges of finding reference samples for this most elusive animal. The K9s are used to track pangolin scent trails and indicate on the faecal matter. This approach has the objective of being non-intrusive and all care is taken to ensure we do not interfere with the pangolins and their natural habitats in any way. The research teams consist of management, along with two to three K9 handlers, depending on the size of the reserve.
Through this DNA referencing, our team will be able to determine the key illicit wildlife product trafficking routes and identify the involvement of specific transnational organised crime syndicates. This research will determine the fastest and most effective intervention methods that can be applied in protected areas by various collaborative law enforcement agencies and anti-poaching units within countries throughout Africa. Given the alarming rate at which pangolins are poached, this is crucial. This same method was applied by Professor Sam Wasser with successful results achieved on elephant ivory, seeing arrests of major poaching syndicate members in Kenya.
The second initiative with Center for Environmental Forensic Science (CEFS) at the University of Washington under Professor Sam Wasser and championed by US Homeland Security Investigations, as well as with Great Plains Foundation – under Dereck and Beverly Joubert and is running in tandem with the pangolin referencing initiative. This innovative project involves the development of a high throughput, scent-detection method that combines remote air sampling and K9 detection to rapidly search for illicit contraband.
Pit-Track NPC has established a forwarding K9 operational and training base camp to support the initiative. All relevant authorizations and permits are in place for the possession of illicit biodiversity products for the K9 imprinting and training purposes in support of the project. Applications are underway for handling, possession, and transporting, as well as research permits to further support the project objectives. Pit-Track NPC in collaboration with the Braveheart Bio Dog Academy has access to world-class laboratory facilities with Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometers and Thermal Desorption units that are being used to isolate key components from illicit common biodiversity compounds to drastically improve K9 substance detection accuracy. This is game-changing research and development that will also support the RAS-K9 Initiative.
Training
We believe that in the volatile world of anti-poaching, there is constant need to make sure our operators and K9s are in top physical and mental shape to be able to perform the function necessary to keep our wildlife safe.
Our operators are trained to the highest possible standard by some of the best global organisations in the business. Infield training for combat situations is done by Poaching Prevention Academy, incorporated with European Security Academy. The training of our K9s is extensive as they perform many functions from patrol and protection to detection. Daily ‘in house’ training of our detection handlers and K9s takes place who are assessed and moderated regularly by Braveheart Bio Dog Academy.
Crocodile River Reserve Base Camp
Training of Field Rangers and Conservation K9s for local and global deployment.
Pit-Track Members K9 Training & Boarding Program
Initiatives
Through mitigation, management, anti-poaching, wildlife rescues/relocations, security, professional handling & much more, this bold venture brings important, valuable security for both game reserves & wildlife management, including wild & captive animals which require protection with & through innovative conservation. Although their main mandate covers Rhino & Lion issues, all fauna & flora are taken into account.
One of the newest initiatives formed is the K9’s For Big Cats Initiative, which has been put in place to track & relocate at-risk Lions or other Big Cats that have found themselves on the wrong side of the fence so to speak, this is done by way of us using the skills of trained K9s in the field. The 3 K9 sisters, Charlie, Rogue & Misty are currently being trained on Lion specific scent. This initiative has already been called upon by various Nature Conservation & SAPS offices in Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State & North West to assist them in confirmation of tracks as well as to locate Lion in the various areas. Dealing with various organisations, we have come to realize that this service is much needed, not only in South Africa but throughout Africa.
Wild Lion numbers are on the decrease & we need to protect as many escapees as we can. Due to the lack of manpower & funding within Nature Conservation offices countrywide, the task they need to perform is a difficult one. What follows is a Lion on the loose that comes into contact with communities & either people are harassed or livestock killed which then makes the Lion a problem animal. Nature Conservation will then issue a permit for hunters to remove the animal.
We have offered communities as well as Nature Conservation a solution to a problem and it has been warmly welcomed.
Part of our mandate regarding this initiative is community education and awareness, engaging with them to find out exactly what their problems are & in turn trying to come up with solutions to help them. Involving them in the search is another way where they can feel like they are part of the solution & in turn, hopefully, a sense of pride & will to protect Africa’s most Iconic predator.
Pit-Track believes that there is power in the education of children & adults alike. Through visits to schools and the corporate fraternity, we are able to impart information regarding issues our wildlife face. With this knowledge, they are able to confidently make calculated decisions on how to incorporate this within their daily lives.
Schools:
- McAuley House
- Girls & Boys Town
- Christ Church School
- Mariepskop
- Kings Camp Community Kids
- Bairnsdale Primary School #754
- Orbost Secondary College
- Clifton Creek Primary School
- Paynesville Primary School
- Hands of Compassion
- Centurion Academy
- Yellow Wood Environmental School
“Young People for our Future”
Erin with new friend Pit-Track Malinois puppy Akira – Photo Miranda Paech
Nine-year-old Erin Reekie is passionate about wildlife. Her philosophy and beliefs shine a bright light on the future for animals in this country, across Africa and the world.
Director Miranda Paech was lucky enough to meet Erin when she was in South Africa last year when she arrived at her father’s business after school. Erin’s father, Doug Reekie, is the owner of our amazing sponsor “AKA Signage” who has been supporting “Pit-Track” tirelessly over many years.
Erin immediately made friends with our Malinois puppy Akira. Her love for animals and her keen interest in protecting and saving the endangered wildlife is something she is keen to share with other young people and all who join her in her concerns for the future of their existence. Erin recently made a video articulating her thoughts and hopes for what lies ahead.
Miranda asked Erin to tell us about herself, her love of wildlife and her hopes for the future.
Erin, what is your favorite animal?
My favorite animal is a Leopard because I love all their rosettes. It truly makes them unique, and their babies are truly the cutest things I’ve ever seen.
Tell us how you became interested in wildlife and why you love the animals so much?
My parents have always taken me to the bush at an early age and on one of our trips we saw a Wild Dog with a snare trap around its neck and that upset me very much. So I decided that one day I want to be a wildlife vet so I can do my part in conservation.
Do you learn much about wildlife at school and are your friends interested as well?
I wish that we did learn more at school about wildlife and I really wish that there would be a class just for wildlife. My best friend and I with our families go to Mjejane near Kruger every once a year for a week.
How do you think young people can become involved in helping to save the endangered animals?
I think young people in their spare time they can make a fundraiser and once they have collected all the money possible they could send it to wildlife sanctuaries to help endangered animals and hurt and injured animals and animals that need, let’s say, trimming their horns and everything to save from poachers.
What do you hope will happen now and into the future to make sure the animals survive and what do you think needs to be done right now?
I think National Parks are great, but right now because it gets them space and they are used to their own habitat. But I think right now they need to make sure it is run properly and that the gates are maintained.
What would you like to say to everyone reading this?
I would like to say please support all your local wildlife sanctuaries and all their projects and come visit in South Africa. We’ve got beautiful animals to see.
Children are our future. Children like Erin, who has insight well beyond her years, will be the future leaders in wildlife conservation.
It is up to all of us to educate and bring the love for wildlife that Erin has, to all our young people and everyone out there, because this is how the war against extinction will be won.
Erin is a junior “Pit-Track” Member and an exceptional Ambassador for Animals.