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Dog superheroes fight for the survival of endangered animals

We want to buy food and supplies for training and working on missions for our canine superheroes, whose super-snouts capable of detecting ivory, pangolin scales, bushmeat or living animals anywhere help them to protect endangered wildlife in Congo.

  • Burning the ilegal poachers' camp

  • These dwarf crocodiles were meant to be eaten

  • Monkeys for sale

  • Hana Böhme with Doli

  • Rick training the detection of pangolin scale

  • One of the first training sessions of Doli

  • Shon signals detection of ammunition

  • Grey parrots for sale

  • Bushmeat on market

  • Bushmeat found in a suitcase

  • Bushmeat detected by our dogs

  • Bushmeat found at the internation airport

  • Matching game reward

  • Pictures of elephants as a reward

  • Plastic cup designed by Zoo Liberec

  • Elephant T-shirt - design 1 - Africa

  • Elephants T-shirt - design 2 - Think big

  • Zoo Liberec mug

  • Rewards - bag, backpack, stickers, baskets

  • Cama was a successful fighter for wildlife

EUR 5,532
pledged of EUR 3,958

139%

139% completed

172 contributors pledged

Community

All or nothing. Project finished on Apr 29, 2017 at 11:29.

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Video to our campaing

https://youtu.be/9Vjwx-kKqok

Our goal

We want to keep fighting for the African wildlife which is threatened by poachers and traffickers. For that, we need our dogs to be in perfect condition, and to ensure their welfare and all of their needs. Good feeding, veterinary care, vaccinations, antiparasitics and logistics on the missions – this all requires steady funding. The money raised by this campaign will cover part of these essential needs. 

              Doli při navtiskávání pachu luskouních šupin

Our mission

We believe that enforced nature conservation is needed in order to conserve the rare wildlife in Central Africa. Sniffer dogs offer part of the solution. Besides this, many African countries are attempting to develop in a sustainable manner and act responsibly towards the environment, and solid nature protection is a vital component of such development. After our past successful missions and results we need to grow and become stronger to continue in our fight. Please help us. 

                                                  

How it all got started

Once upon a time there was a pristine rainforest - a virgin jungle full of life. It was a perfectly balanced ecosystem consisting of an endless number of plant and animal species, lasting from time immemorial. Then humans came. The trees started to be felled for timber and animals hunted not only for survival, but also for their tusks, skins, scales or claws. The intact rainforest shrank and the animal populations declined drastically.

However, there are many people ready to fight for the survival of this unique wildlife. Two among them, Naftali Honig and Arthur F. Sniegon, launched a sniffer dog programme for the detection of wildlife products in Congo in 2014 – the first of its kind in the region. The programme uses specially trained dogs to sniff out ivory, pangolin scales, leopard skins, live animals (crocodiles, turtles, primates, African grey parrots, etc.), all kinds of so-called “bushmeat“, and guns and ammunition. The programme started as a branch of PALF, active in Congo since 2008 as a part of the widely spread EAGLE network within Africa. The use of dogs is focused on key locations for wildlife trafficking, such as the airport, roadblock checkpoints, markets and logging concessions.

                Cama, bojovnice za ohrožené druhy

The project started in 2014 with two male malinois dogs, Shon and Rick, who were trained in Israel. Local Congolese dog handlers were selected and trained from scratch - an especially peculiar task in a country without a tradition of keeping dogs as companions or working animals. Nonetheless, we succeeded. This was to a great extent thanks to our Czech volunteer dog trainer, Mrs. Hana Böhme, who came to Congo repeatedly, and one year later (in 2015) fully prepared and donated her great female malinois dog named Cama. The same year, during a break from successful “poacher hunting“, Cama and Shon managed to meet in privacy and started a new generation of Congolese and African sniffer dogs. The team grew and transformed into an independent project called Sniffer Dog Programme (PCR) in Congo, which is administered and supported by a British organisation, The Aspinall Foundation. The major partners of PCR in the Czech Republic are the NGO Save-Elephants, z.s. and the ZOO Liberec.                    

Detailes

The wildlife laws in Congo are quite well written and sound. The problem is the lack of enforcement of these laws. In reality, almost all species are hunted and the existing anti-poaching and law enforcement system is in most cases not able to address this problem adequately. There is a big difference between traditional subsistence hunting for one’s own needs and commercial hunting and trading. This has led to the problem of over-exploitation, especially of bushmeat animals. A big proportion of the hunted animals are therefore not consumed locally by forest and rural communities, but rather are transported in vast volumes to urban centres or even abroad to satisfy the never-ending hunger for special meats directly from the forest. People who have the alternative to buy fish or meat from domesticated animals are responsible for “eating out“ forests hundreds or thousands of kilometers away.

          Nalezený bushmeat

The highly corrupt and negligence-susceptible social environment in Congo (and beyond!) is giving way to law-breaking and allowing poachers and traffickers to prosper in their business. When needed, they can always bribe their way out of any problem. This is another aspect of the hard work that our and other projects must face. PALF and other projects we collaborate with have their own teams of lawyers and legal advisors who make sure that culprits will be delivered to the justice system without the chance to escape punishment easily.

When carrying out search operations on the ground, we collaborate with the Congolese Ministry of Environment and with the Gendarmerie. We focus on regular random checks as well as intelligence-led controls at road checkpoints, airports and on logging roads in the forested parts of Congo. During the two active years of the project in 2015 and 2016, nearly 40 individuals (poachers or traffickers) were arrested following detection by our dogs, ivory was found, and live pangolins and pangolin scales were detected. Several guns, leopard skins and ammunition were also found, and hundreds of live reptiles and thousands of pieces of bushmeat were seized. Several poachers’ camps have also been destroyed during our missions.

        Shon prohledává auto

From the original adult trio of dogs only two remain, the males Shon and Rick. The female Cama passed away during a tragic road accident which hit our team in mid-2016. Nevertheless, all 7 of her offspring are a great legacy to Cama's previous fight for wildlife. We have trained the puppies and distributed some of them to different conservation projects across Africa. Orion, the biggest male, is now guarding chimpanzees and people in the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Sanctuary (run by the Jane Goodall Institute). Another 4 puppies called Django, Dzamba, Ndolo and Pluto have been sent for special training in Uganda, and 3 of them will remain in East Africa with different conservation programmes. One of the dogs in Uganda will soon come back to Congo to join his two remaining siblings, Doli and Titan, whom we have fully trained on our own. All of the dogs in our project are trained by positive reinforcement of the desired performance, using a toy as a reward for successful detection of illegal items.

Each of our four dogs in Congo is paired with a Congolese dog handler, creating independent units. Daily training sessions will assure that soon even the youngsters Doli and Titan will be ready for real action. The training schedule is being prepared and progress surveilled by Hana Böhme, who regularly visits the project. Our staff checks all of the dogs daily and if there is a health issue, a nearby veterinary clinic is able to help. When not on a mission in the field, the dogs are guarded 24/7 by the handlers themselves, as well as by our own day- and night-guards, to ensure the highest possible level of security.

     

Who we are

The main supporter of the Sniffer Dog Programme in the Czech Republic is the NGO Save-Elephants, z.s., founded by Arthur F. Sniegon, the current leader of the Congolese Dog Project by The Aspinall Foundation. Save-Elephants, in partnership with the ZOO Liberec, will transfer all funds raised directly to Congo. 

                                                           

News

Apr 5, 2017 Thank you!

Thank you! Only thanks to your help and contribution we have already reached the goal of EUR 3,696 to support our Sniffer Dog Programme (PCR) in Congo, and can continue its growth. Our dog superheroes are happily wagging their tails and look forward to when their good food arrives as well as to…

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Choose reward for your contribution

  • sold 17
    Matching game

    Matching game with wonderful pictures of African wildlife. You'll learn some zoology and taste the Africa. 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 7.92
    (CZK 200)

  • sold 4
    Plastic cup by Zoo Liberec

    Perfect cup for beer or soda with a white tiger - mascot animal of Zoo Liberec.
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 7.92
    (CZK 200)

  • sold 53
    Postcard from Congo

    Hand-painted postcard bought at Congolese market with our thanks signed by our Congolese team. You can ask for special inscription.

     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 11.87
    (CZK 300)

  • sold 15
    African basket

    Small wooden basket lined with African fabric. Definitely trendy accessory to keep your keys, jewelry or any other little things!

     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 15.83
    (CZK 400)

  • sold 5
    Zoo Liberec mug

    Mug with a logo of Zoo Liberec. Good for coffee or tea. 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 15.83
    (CZK 400)

  • sold 15
    Picture of elephant

    Original picture of African elephant in nature with our hand-written tghanks. Ca A4 format. 

     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.79
    (CZK 500)

  • sold 17
    Picture of canine superhero

    Original picture of one of our canine superheroes with our hand-written thanks. Ca A4 format. 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.79
    (CZK 500)

  • sold 15
    Elephant bag

    Cloth bag with original elephant print. Ideal for shopping. You'll be both, stylish and eco-friendly. 

     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 27.71
    (CZK 700)

  • sold 3
    Tickets to Zoo Liberec and elephant stickers

    Two tickets to Zoo Liberec and two Save-Elephants stickers.
    The tickets are ideal if you plan a trip to Czech Republic. And you should definitely do it, because we have plenty beautiful places to visit. 

     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 27.71
    (CZK 700)

  • sold 15
    Elephant T-Shirt

    T-shirt designed by our "court painter" Jirka Houska. You can choose from two designs, both of them are pictured in the gallery. T-shirts are available in men and women cut and in black and white color. Women T-shirts are available in S, M and L sizes, men T-shirts in M, L, XL and XXL. So don't forget to tell us which design, color, cut and which size you wish for. 
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 39.58
    (CZK 1,000)

  • sold 1
    Four tickets to Zoo Liberec

    You'll get four tickets to zoo and it is up to you if you'll take your family or friends. And also, you'll get some elephant stickers.
    The tickets are ideal if you plan a trip to Czech Republic. And you should definitely do it, because we have plenty beautiful places to visit. 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 59.37
    (CZK 1,500)

  • sold 8
    Elephant backpack

    Drawstring backpack with original elephant print designed by Jirka Houska. Perfect for your snack or yoga clothes.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 79.16
    (CZK 2,000)

  • sold 1
    V.I.P. tour in Zoo Liberec

    Individual V.I.P. guided tour to Zoo Liberec. You'll have also a chance to peek in the keepers' facilities. 
    Perfect if you plan a trip to Czech Republic. And you should definitely do it, because we have plenty beautiful places to visit. 

    Reward delivery: in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.90
    (CZK 5,000)

  • remaining 1 from 3
    African theme painting

    Original painting of African fauna painted by our "court painter" Jirka Houska. 

     

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 395.80
    (CZK 10,000)

  • sold 1
    Private lecture + elephant gift set

    You'll get a private lecture from Arthur F. Sniegon for your family, friends, colleagues,  schoolmates or just for you. You'll se pictures and movies from Arthur's trips around Africa and hear his stories. 
    If you are in Czech Republic, Arthur will arrive wherever you want. If you are abroad, unfortunately you'd have to manage Arthur's transport somehow or you can have Skype conference. 
    Also you'll get some of our elephant merchandise.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 791.61
    (CZK 20,000)

  • sold 0
    Visiting our canine superheroes in Congo

    You'll have a chance to come to Brazzaville and see our canine superheroes right in action. You'll see trainings and work on missions, you'll taste manioc, saka saka or roasted fish, you'll cool yourself with local beer or ice-cold bissap, you'll dance at an African disco and buy souvenirs at a Congolese market. 
    We'll also help you to arrange a trip to a national park to see gorillas and elephants or a trip to the ocean coast. 
    Although you'll have to pay for your plane ticket and visa, we'll help you get the visa and recommend you the cheapest plane ticket. In Congo, you can stay at our house or we will help you to find the best hotel. 
     

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 1,979.02
    (CZK 50,000)

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