Eight highly-trained dogs have joined the anti-poaching unit at Akagera National Park in Rwanda and will be used to track and restrain poachers in the park.

All the dogs in the Akagera squad are male and approximately three years old. Seven of the dogs are of the Belgian Malinois breed and their names are Reza, Max, Bruno, Bronco, Gozer, Barrack and Tigo. The eighth member is a Dutch Shepherd dog whose name is Duco.

The dogs are being accommodated in newly-constructed kennels at Akagera’s park headquarters. On completion of their second training schedule they may also be deployed in Rwanda’s two other national parks, Volcanoes and Nyungwe Forest, to assist with anti-poaching efforts.

The anti-poaching dog programme is being funded by the Rwanda Development Board.