Along with animals, travel is one of my biggest passions in life. So, it will come as no surprise that I have become a regular safari enthusiast over the years and have some wonderful memories from my time in the bush. There’s nothing like being up close to an elephant and feeling the rumble of their infrasonic vibrations travel through your body or to hear the roar of a magnificent lion calling in the wild. The reality is though, that many of the animals I see could become extinct if the poaching is not stopped

I’m on a mission to do my little bit. .......

This year, whilst in Thornybush game reserve right next to Kruger National Park, I was introduced to K9, a small anti-poaching dog unit. They have a massive and dangerous mission ahead of them. I knew instantly I had to help – I made a donation there and then and pledged a further £1 for every T London product sold from the TUKUYU collection. www.t-london.com T LONDON WEBSITE / TUKUYU collection

Will you join me and help raise money for K9?

All Donations no matter how small will be gratefully received.

Dogs have been used in law enforcement for centuries. In the bush they can sniff out and follow trails left when criminals breach boundary fences, they track faster over greater distances than humans can, over harsh terrain following trails we can’t even see.

SOARING COSTS

Facing a poaching onslaught, with criminals now targeting not only rhino but also pangolins, elephants, lions and even certain plants, the cost of security to protect our wildlife and specifically rhino has escalated as much as 400%. Thornybush and other private reserves need donors to help them ensure the security of these precious creatures. The only alternative being the loss of species forever and that is not an option! We need to act and act now.

TRAINING AND MAINTENANCE

Keeping the dogs comfortable, healthy, secure and at the top of their game is the daily focus of the K9 team. These dogs operate at the same level as top athletes, maintaining their condition is a finely tuned science involving optimal nutrition and regular veterinary care. Maintenance includes good quality food, vaccinations, tick control and general health checks and adds up to $100 per dog per month.

Dogs and their handlers also require extensive, specialist training to keep them safe and effective in the field. Then there are security costs... the more success our handlers and dogs have in the field, the bigger targets they then become for ruthless wildlife criminals. It is easy to forget that they are both targets for the poachers as well!

MEET K9

BEARA -Bloodhound/Doberman cross.

AUSSIE – The Weimaraner + handler

JUSTICE - A Belgian Mallinois: He’s smart and confident and part of the security team at the gate

MURPHY - Another Belgian Mallinois: New to the team

DUKE – The newest member of the team. Still a puppy.