Jaipur: Belgian Malinois dogs, renowned for guarding the White House and assisting in the SEAL operation that eliminated Osama bin Laden, will soon be deployed for anti-poaching and wildlife protection duties in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR). This will mark the first deployment of a specialised canine unit at RTR.A forest official said, “This breed, developed in the Maline region of Belgium in the 1800s, is known for its intelligence, agility and alertness. The dogs are currently undergoing training at the Basic Training Centre of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (BTC-ITBP) in Panchkula, Haryana.”The move follows recommendations from the 2022 Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which advocated the introduction of a sniffer dog squad in Ranthambore. “These dogs are trained to detect skins and bones of tigers and leopards and track poachers and hunters. With a keen sense of smell, high endurance and natural aggression, they are ideally suited for wildlife crime detection,” the official added.Similar dog squads have already been deployed in other tiger reserves, including Kaziranga, Corbett and Periyar, where they have proven effective in curbing poaching and aiding in wildlife crime investigations. Once inducted, the dogs will assist in detecting forest and wildlife offences such as poaching, illegal tree felling and the trafficking of contraband, including protected animals, forest produce and weapons.“In Rajasthan, vast and porous forest landscapes present challenges to surveillance. The Belgian Malinois can strengthen on-ground enforcement,” the official said. “They are particularly effective in tracking offenders through dense terrain, locating crime scenes and supporting forest staff during raids. To curb poaching and trafficking of endangered species, canine units will provide a mobile, real-time tool for response and preventive patrolling.“
