Vega and Kuda, two specially trained conservation dogs, have successfully arrived in Harare after being transported from London via Dubai by Emirates SkyCargo, in collaboration with the UK charity Dogs 4 Wildlife. Upon their arrival, the dogs have started to adapt to their new surroundings at Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe.
These Belgian Malinois dogs are currently engaged in advanced integration training with local park rangers. Since their arrival, Vega and Kuda have become integral members of the park’s inaugural specialist conservation K9 unit, completing over 185 hours of hands-on training with six expert K9 handlers. Within just a month, they have successfully finished more than 60 exercises focused on tracking human scents, consistently showcasing their ability to identify illegal poaching activities. Additionally, the initial phase of the training program has yielded significant results, including the establishment of welfare guidelines and Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) that create a sustainable framework for the K9 unit’s operations.
Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo, remarked, “We view wildlife protection as a fundamental responsibility at Emirates SkyCargo and are thrilled to collaborate with Dogs 4 Wildlife in their efforts to safeguard endangered ecosystems. The transportation of live animals by air demands the utmost levels of safety, accuracy, and care, and we take pride in utilizing Emirates SkyCargo’s exceptional handling capabilities and infrastructure to transport Vega and Kuda from the UK to Zimbabwe. We are confident that these dogs will play a vital role in safeguarding the wildlife of Matusadona National Park.”
Emirates SkyCargo is firmly dedicated to wildlife conservation and maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against illegal wildlife trafficking. The airline has instituted a complete ban on the transport of hunting trophies and has trained its global teams to identify and address potential wildlife trafficking threats. Emirates is also a founding signatory of the Buckingham Palace Declaration and collaborates with United for Wildlife to bolster industry-wide initiatives against wildlife trafficking.
As part of its commitment to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, Emirates recently hosted a multi-stakeholder workshop in Dubai aimed at increasing awareness of the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and enhancing operational collaboration within the aviation sector. This interactive workshop brought together representatives from the Emirates Group, key UAE authorities, and various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, Dubai Customs, Dubai Police, Dubai Airports, Al Ain Municipality, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Participants engaged in discussions based on real-world case studies, focusing on early detection, escalation procedures, inter-agency coordination, animal welfare, and biosecurity measures. This initiative underscores Emirates’ commitment to fostering industry collaboration, improving frontline readiness, and supporting collective efforts to thwart wildlife trafficking in Dubai.
