Conservancy Guardians

Kuru the conservation dog

Kuru is dedicated to protecting Africa’s wildlife by training and deploying skilled detection and tracking dogs. These amazing dogs, paired with their handlers, help combat wildlife trafficking, locate snares, and track poachers. Working closely with conservation partners, Kuru ensures these teams are equipped to make a lasting impact, playing a vital role in preserving Africa’s biodiversity.

Protecting Africa’s Wildlife

Kuru is a conservation programme with a clear mission: to support wildlife agencies and conservation partners in the fight against poaching and wildlife trafficking. At the heart of our work are dog teams, trained to detect illegal wildlife products, track poachers, and find snares, saving countless animals.

These dogs are trained at Kuru’s dedicated dog school in Northern Tanzania to work in diverse contexts, from airports and border crossings to the remotest wilderness. Their abilities to find ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales, and other illegal products make them invaluable in protecting endangered species. In the field, they help stop poachers and dismantle traps, directly saving lives and reducing threats to wildlife.

A Programme Built on Care

At Kuru, we focus on more than training—we care deeply for our dogs and their handlers. This culture of care creates strong, trusting bonds that lead to successful, lasting partnerships. Happy, well-cared-for dogs are not only better at their work but also enjoy long, fulfilling careers.

Making an Impact Across Africa

Though based in Tanzania, Kuru supports conservation efforts across the continent. We’ve worked with detection units in Ethiopia, helped start canine teams in Mozambique, and shared our knowledge with partners in many countries. By offering training and ongoing support, we help new and existing programmes succeed.

Kuru’s approach shows how small investments in well-trained dogs can make a big difference. These teams not only help stop wildlife crime but also inspire trust and collaboration in conservation.

By supporting Kuru, you’re helping protect Africa’s wild places and ensuring that conservation dogs continue to make an impact for years to come.