Bloodhound Project
Bloodhound dogs are famous for their sense of smell and ability to follow a scent trail. Able to identify a single scent in five million, bloodhounds are uniquely suited to track humans in difficult terrain. Virunga National Park, like several other parks containing critically endangered species, is preparing to harness the unique skills of the bloodhound to track, apprehend and arrest poachers.
Dr. Marlene Zähner, and other internationally recognized experts in the field of man-trailing and crime scene investigation, are creating Congo’s first man-trailing program in Virunga National Park. The goal of the program is to better protect Virunga’s critically endangered mountain gorillas and other wildlife from poachers, and in general, help enforce the rule of law, which is critical to re-establishing Virunga’s tourism trade. The program will also greatly improve the park’s ability to quickly find lost and critically injured rangers, many of whom have died needlessly while awaiting help.
The five man-trailing teams, each comprised of a bloodhound and a ranger, will require approximately two years of training. Virunga National Park is looking to the international community to help sustain this vital program. We hope you will consider becoming a monthly supporter of the Congohounds Project. With your help, we can give Virunga’s wildlife and rangers the support they deserve.”
Marlene Zahner – Project Leader
“I’ve owned bloodhound dogs for the last 37 years – almost all my life,” Marlene Zahner says, “and worked at training them for the last 20 years. Bloodhounds are my favorite kind of dogs.”
It would be nice if we could get Marlene to write about herself and tell you all her qualifications for being in charge of this amazing program in Congo, but getting this information out of her is difficult. She is one of the best bloodhound trainers in the world, but refuses to say this. She brought man-trailing bloodhound programs to Europe. Prior to that, there was nothing. She’s been training police and search-and-rescue for the last 15 years in Europe. She’s a veterinarian and owns a center for human/animal relationships.
What Marlene is happy to tell you is what she loves about bloodhounds.
“They’re independent and if they focus on a goal, they’ll get it. They have strong personalities so they don’t really need to be aggressive dogs. They’re affectionate but not in a dependent way.” And then she confesses, “We share characteristics. But you know, they say that dogs and owners start to look alike. I certainly hope not.”
The dogs are still students, but learning fast. Marlene believes there are only two limitations: the age of the dogs, and the handlers. “Humans take much longer to learn it,” observes Marlene. “Handling a man-trailer [bloodhound] is a difficult task and it takes a long time to learn. Years to learn. The dogs are bred to do this so it’s easier for them.”
She completely believes in the success of this program.
“If it continues like this, we will succeed. The handlers are all very willing, really listening, strongly motivated, and have a talent with animals. In this place, there’s discipline, something you don’t always find in other places.”
She adds, “I’m just still, after all these years, impressed with what they can do. And I still don’t know how they do it.”
On the Trail with Congohounds
by Ranger Gracien Sivanza.
With all the conflict in our region, one often feels the weight of the situation, but our work with the bloodhounds never fails to lift our spirits. The natural talent and enthusiasm the dogs bring to their job makes our work a lot of fun. It’s truly a pleasure to be on the canine team with them. To get a feel for what it’s like to work with them, I will take you through a couple of typical training ... Read more »
Interview with Ranger Gracien Sivanza – European Congohounds Fundraising/Training Trip
Ranger Gracien in Toscany
Gracien, welcome back from your Congohounds training and fundraising trip to Europe. Please tell us a little about it.
Having the chance to travel outside Africa was the dream of a lifetime. We were very pleased that Europe was to be our destination. Europe has so much history, so for us, it was a chance to broaden our horizons and challenge the way we look at the world. We hear about Europe when we are in Congo, but ... Read more »
Congohound Training During a War
Marlene Zähner, the Congohounds project leader and trainer, arrived at the park for her two-week training session just days before the park headquarters got caught in the middle of a violent battle between rebels and army. Her trip had been planned for over a month, and she was determined to carry on despite the fact that they couldn’t leave the headquarters. When the gunfire and mortars came close, the dogs and rangers took cover. When ... Read more »
RECENT DONATIONS
May
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19 May 2013
OPEN DONATIONS
Unregistered Donor
$50
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$100
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06 May 2013
Support the Congohound Team
Unregistered Donor
$25
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01 May 2013
Support for the project
Unregistered Donor
$50
April
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28 Apr 2013
2 x Bloodhound Dogs: Monthly Care
Unregistered Donor
$40
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28 Apr 2013
Support for the project
Unregistered Donor
$10
-
$2
-
$100
-
06 Apr 2013
Support the Congohound Team
Unregistered Donor
$25
-
03 Apr 2013
Multiple items
Unregistered Donor
$45
-
01 Apr 2013
Support for the project
Unregistered Donor
$50
March
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28 Mar 2013
2 x Bloodhound Dogs: Monthly Care
Unregistered Donor
$40
-
28 Mar 2013
Support for the project
Unregistered Donor
$10
-
$2
-
$100
This website was funded by the European Union and the Prince Bernard Nature Fund.
