GUWAHATI: The K9 unit, renowned for its anti-poaching prowess, witnessed a somber moment as it bid farewell to one of its celebrated members, Sheela, on August 9.
Her passing at the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, where she was stationed, has cast a veil of melancholy across the wider community dedicated to wildlife conservation in the region.
Sheela, a Belgian Malinois dog, belonging to one of the most intelligent canine breeds globally, took up her mantle in the elite K9 Sniffer Dog Squad of Aaranyak, a biodiversity conservation organisation, in June 2019, after undergoing rigorous training.
Commencing her service in the Bagori Range of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, Sheela later extended her exceptional skills to the Manas National Park, where she collaborated with park authorities and the forest department to curb poaching and wildlife crime.
Her dedication also took her to the Raimona National Park. In her final days, she was posted at the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, under the watchful care of her handler, Rahul Das, to assist in matters concerning the sanctuary’s rhino population.
One of Sheela’s standout achievements was her instrumental role in tracking down criminals involved in the poaching of a baby bear in the Manas National Park.
In June 2022, the Panbari Range of the park grappled with heightened conflicts between bears and humans. During this period, the carcass of a young bear was discovered on the outskirts of Panbari Village, situated close to the park.
When local villagers provided limited assistance to the subsequent police investigation, the Park authority turned to Sheela for her remarkable tracking skills. With unparalleled expertise, Sheela guided her handler to specific households within the village, leading to the revelation of the perpetrators behind the bear’s tragic demise.
Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Aaranyak’s CEO and an internationally acclaimed rhino conservationist and wildlife crime expert, expressed deep sorrow over Sheela’s loss. “Throughout various wildlife crime incidents, our K9 squad, including Sheela, aided forest officials in tracing escape routes of wildlife criminals, leading to their arrests. We will forever commemorate Sheela’s contribution to safeguarding precious wildlife. She remains a conservation hero,” he said.
The K9 dog squad, now composed of five Belgian Malinois dogs, along with their adept handlers, have played a dynamic role in assisting forest and police officials across Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, Manas National Park, Orang National Park, and other rhino-rich territories in Assam.
