Emirates SkyCargo flies conservation dogs to Zimbabwe to combat poaching

Press Release

11 September, 2026, 08:30 am

Last modified: 11 September, 2026, 08:32 am

Emirates SkyCargo has transported two specialist conservation dogs to Zimbabwe to help rangers at Matusadona National Park track suspected poachers and combat wildlife crime.

The Belgian Malinois dogs, Vega and Kuda, will form the national park’s first specialist conservation K9 team, according to a press release.

Emirates SkyCargo, Emirates’ cargo division, transported the dogs from London to Harare via Dubai in partnership with UK-based charity Dogs 4 Wildlife.

Vega and Kuda have safely settled into their new environment and are undergoing advanced training alongside park rangers.

Within just over a month, the dogs completed more than 185 hours of practical training with six specialist handlers, preparing them for their role in the national park’s first specialist conservation K9 team.

The training included over 60 human-scent tracking exercises, with the dogs demonstrating their ability to help identify and follow suspected poaching activity.

The programme has also introduced animal-welfare guidelines and standard operating procedures to ensure the K9 unit can operate effectively and sustainably.

Emirates SkyCargo said it maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal wildlife trafficking.

The carrier has banned the transportation of hunting trophies and trained its frontline teams worldwide to identify and respond to potential wildlife-trafficking risks.

Emirates is also a founding signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration and works with United for Wildlife to combat wildlife trafficking worldwide.