K9 unit flown by Emirates SkyCargo to Zimbabwe begins frontline operations

Dubai: Vega and Kuda, two specialist conservation dogs transported by Emirates SkyCargo from London to Harare via Dubai in partnership with UK charity Dogs 4 Wildlife, have safely arrived and acclimatised to their new operational environment at Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe. The Belgian Malinois dogs are now undergoing advanced integration training with park rangers. Since arriving, the pair, part of the park’s first specialist conservation K9 unit, have completed more than 185 hours of practical training with six K9 handlers and over 60 human-scent tracking exercises, demonstrating their ability to track illegal poaching activity. The first phase of the programme has also introduced welfare measures and Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs), creating a sustainable framework for the K9 unit. Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “At Emirates SkyCargo, we believe wildlife protection is a core responsibility, and we are delighted to support Dogs 4 Wildlife’s mission to protect endangered ecosystems. Transporting live animals requires the highest standards of safety, precision and care, and we are proud to have leveraged our expertise to transport Vega and Kuda from the UK to Zimbabwe. We are confident they will make a meaningful contribution to protecting the wildlife of Matusadona National Park.” Emirates SkyCargo maintains a zero-tolerance approach to illegal wildlife trafficking, including a complete ban on transporting hunting trophies. The carrier also trains frontline teams to identify and report trafficking risks. Emirates is a founding signatory of the Buckingham Palace Declaration and works with United for Wildlife to support industry efforts against wildlife trafficking. Emirates hosts wildlife trafficking awareness workshop in Dubai As part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, Emirates recently hosted a multi-stakeholder workshop in Dubai focused on raising awareness of Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and strengthening coordination across the aviation sector. The workshop brought together representatives from the Emirates Group, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai Customs, Dubai Police, Dubai Airports, Al Ain Municipality and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Through case studies and scenario-based discussions, participants explored early detection, escalation procedures, cross-agency coordination, animal welfare and biosecurity considerations. The initiative reinforces Emirates’ commitment to industry collaboration, frontline preparedness and collective efforts to prevent wildlife trafficking through Dubai.