K9 Dash has joined the team at the Mountain Zebra National Park and will take on the task of sniffing out the bad guys!
Eastern Cape, South Africa (25 March 2024) – The SANParks Mountain Zebra National Park team have welcomed detection dog Dash to the team. He joined the growing canine unit and adds to the task force with his ability to detect ammunition and wildlife products.
Joining Zulu, who has been working as a tracker dog since 2023, Dash will be handled by Franklin Farao. The pair will be based at the park’s entrance, where they will take part in roadblocks and greet eager visitors.
Mountain Zerba National Park is situated in the Eastern Cape between the rolling hills that connect the Northern and Western Cape provinces. It is home to the Cape Mountain Zebra, which, at the time the land was proclaimed protected, were on the brink of extinction. Now, the population of 300 zebra has 28,412 hectares of land to roam.
The protected Zebra are joined by other mammals, including the cheetah, Cape buffalo, black rhino, eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, and gemsbok, as well as mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok found in the higher areas. There are also Caracal, which occupy the niche of primary predator.
SANParks introduced Dash to the greater public on the 22nd of March 2024 and shared that he is eager to take on this exciting and protective role.
“Meet Dash, the new addition to the law enforcement team at Mountain Zebra National Park.
Dash, a detection dog, will be stationed at the main gate and roadblocks to greet and see off guests. Working alongside dog handler Franklin Farao, Dash has been trained to detect hidden ammunition and wildlife products in vehicles and luggage.
Described as a friendly canine by Senior Section Ranger Wonga Pama, Dash joins the park’s canine unit, complementing Franklin Louw and Zulu, the tracker dog who has been part of the team since last year.”
If you happen to be visiting the park, give Dash and Franklin a wave from us!
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