Singer and model Louise Redknapp has announced that she has teamed up with Dogs 4 Wildlife, a UK based Not for Profit who breed and train specialist conservation dogs to be deployed to Africa in the ongoing fight against rhino poaching and wildlife crimes.
Louise, a huge dog and animal lover, hopes to shed light and raise awareness for the poaching crisis in Africa which is of the greatest importance, as poaching more than doubled last year in certain parts of Southern Africa, with one rhino being poached on average every 16 hours.
Dogs 4 Wildlife have over 15 dogs deployed across Southern Africa. The specialist conservation dogs, who are bred and trained at Dogs 4 Wildlife in Carmarthenshire contribute to reducing incidents of poaching by as much as 75%, thus playing a huge part in the conservation of rhino and other endangered wildlife.
Louise Redknapp said: “It is so important to raise awareness of issues including wildlife extinction, endangerment and global wildlife trafficking and poaching.
“I’ve teamed up with Dogs 4 Wildlife, who supply highly trained and fully supported Conservation dogs alongside advanced ranger training to reserves, conservancies and National Parks in need across Southern Africa and the world.
“It is a devastating time for poaching across Africa and a Rhino is currently poached every 16 hours.”
Darren Priddle, Co-Founder and Director of Dogs 4 Wildlife said: “Dogs 4 Wildlife is a passion led, dedicated organisation with a view to both the inspiration of our future generations to connect with nature and the continued protection and conservation of our planet’s diverse wildlife.
“Having Louise Redknapp support our organisation, who herself is an inspiration to many and has, as we do, an intrinsic love for all animals is an absolute honour and privilege.
“Working collaboratively to help safeguard the planet’s wildlife and educate our children to the value of our planet’s natural environments is the key to a sustainable future. In combination with Louise’s dedication and passion, our projects can have more wide reaching impact towards this vision
Co-Founder and Director of Dogs 4 Wildlife, Jacqui Law added: “It was such a great honour to meet Louise, someone with the same level of passion and commitment towards dogs and animals in general, her ethos towards both conservation and community empowerment shone through and we instantly connected.
“She has such a wonderful aura and together we can play a small part in trying to conserve as many animals for our children and grandchildren as possible.
“We all can play a part in protecting this planet and turning the tide of destruction into a brighter future.”
The latest reports from national governments and agencies reveal that approximately 548 rhinos were poached in Africa last year. On average, one rhino is still poached every 16 hours.
There has been an alarming increase in rhino poaching in KwaZulu-Natal, where Dogs 4 Wildlife have 2 anti-poaching dogs deployed, since the re-opening of borders at the end of 2021. The lives of the rangers and anti-poaching personnel who work to protect the wildlife are also at risk.
KwaZulu-Natal, which is the birthplace of white rhino conservation, lost 295 rhino to poaching last year, with 28 rhinos poached in 40 days.
Dogs 4 Wildlife plan to get more dogs deployed to Sub Saharan Africa in 2024, including Nkosi, a Bavarian Mountain Hound, to support the rhino poaching crisis.
Dogs 4 Wildlife are in talks with Louise and her team, arranging for her to visit Africa to witness the vital work the dogs and wildlife rangers carry out on the front lines of anti-poaching.
For more information and to help please contact info@dogs4wildlife.org or visit https://www.dogs4wildlife.org/donate/ to donate
About Dogs 4 Wildlife
Non-Profit Organisation Dogs 4 Wildlife aims to provide both quality, highly trained dogs and specialised ranger training for the development of anti-poaching canine units, to protect endangered wildlife. Helping to inspire and motivate the next generation of wildlife protectors, through effective and determined education.
Deploying anti-poaching dogs and K9 units is a crucial part of conservation efforts in Africa
With a long term committed view to assisting in the protection and continuation of endangered species, Dogs 4 Wildlife are a highly experienced team of knowledgeable, dedicated animal lovers with a commitment to wildlife conservation. With 15 operational dogs across 4 Southern African countries, The Dogs 4 Wildlife K9’s help achieve up to a 75% reduction in poaching numbers
Dogs 4 Wildlife promote, for the benefit of the public and our future generations, the conservation and protection of endangered species and the protection against wildlife crime through:
- Training and establishing skilled, reliable, and highly effective, anti-poaching canine units.
- Advancing the training and equipment of Anti-Poaching rangers.
- Community empowerment projects, to advance the awareness and education of endangered species for the continued protection of biodiversity.
- Providing educational platforms in both the UK and Africa to raise awareness for the plight of wildlife and inspire the next generation of wildlife protectors.