Ethiopia’s Bole Airport Introduces AWF-trained Detection & Deterrence Dogs to Strengthen Fight Against Wildlife Crime

Launch of the airport's first canine team to detect illegal wildlife and wildlife products enabled through partnership between the African Wildlife Foundation and the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority. 

The Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) have partnered to establish a canine unit at Bole International Airport (BIA), Ethiopia’s largest airport, located in Addis Ababa. This initiative marks a significant step forward in combating wildlife trafficking at one of Africa's key transit hubs that serves 6.7 Million passengers annually. 

Equipped with four detection dogs and EWCA handlers both trained by AWF, the canine unit will play a crucial role in sniffing out wildlife and wildlife products being trafficked through Bole International Airport.  

The establishment of the canine unit at BIA is part of AWF’s Counter Wildlife Trafficking (CWT) program, which provides a strategically designed ecosystem of services, interventions, advocacy, and policy efforts to detect, deter, investigate, and prosecute wildlife crime. AWF’s approach emphasizes developing capacity within wildlife authorities and other law enforcement entities to ensure the longevity and growth of conservation efforts and significantly reduce the trafficking of wildlife products in Africa. Wildlife trafficking is a critical problem across many parts of the continent, linked to organized crime, corruption, violence, and instability. 

Director General of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, Mr. Kumara Wakjira Gemeda, Speaking at the Launch.

Speaking at the Launch, Director General of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, Mr. Kumara Wakjira Gemeda, expressed that illegal wildlife trade is one of the challenges threatening many endangered wildlife species in Ethiopia and in the region. “Wildlife trafficking not only harms wildlife resources but also undermines economies, legal livelihoods, peace, and security in affected countries," he said. “In this regard, Ethiopia is taking various measures to combat these challenges in Ethiopia and across the region. This includes increasing border and airport checkpoints and checkpoints along major travel routes. The deployment of the canine unit at Bole International Airport with the support of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is an important step in this endeavor to deter wildlife crime.”

EWCA, in partnership with AWF, is proud to have established a canine unit at Bole International Airport, demonstrating the impact of collaboration between conservation organizations and government authorities. This unit, operating at one of the busiest airports in Africa, highlights the use of detection dogs in enhancing wildlife product detection. From securing land to equipping the facility with trained handlers, EWCA's efforts have led to the successful launch of this vital initiative.

The Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority gratefully acknowledges AWF for its financial and technical support in combating wildlife trafficking in Ethiopia and looks forward to the continuation of our bilateral partnership.

AWF has worked with national wildlife agencies to develop and deploy detection and tracker dog units in seven countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Mozambique, Botswana, and now Ethiopia. 

These dogs are an important addition to wildlife law enforcement because they improve the efficiency and effectiveness of anti-poaching and anti-trafficking operations. They are also a perfect deterrent to criminals. 

AWF Vice President of Species Conservation and Science - Philip Muruthi

AWF Vice President of Species Conservation and Science, Philip Muruthi, who was also at the launch, emphasized that the establishment of the canine unit at Bole International Airport is a significant achievement in the fight against wildlife trafficking in Ethiopia and Africa in general, thanks to a fruitful partnership between AWF and EWCA.

“Empowering Ethiopia’s wildlife agency to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts is important to the  protection of Ethiopia’s rich biodiversity, Dr. Muruthi said. “The canine unit, strategically placed at one of Africa’s key transport hubs, will serve as a powerful deterrent to criminals using BIA to move illegal products.” Other activities that AWF works with EWCA include training for investigators, prosecutors, and judicial officers to strengthen the overall response to wildlife crime. 

“International criminal networks engaged in illegal wildlife trade are robbing the continent of its wildlife heritage; the canine unit will not only protect the wildlife but will also disrupt these networks. This canine unit will undoubtedly go a long way in contributing towards AWF’s mission of ensuring that wildlife and wildlands thrive in modern Africa,” said Brian May, AWF Ethiopia’s Landscape Director.

AWF standards for establishing canine units with authorities includes a functional canine facility that ensures the safety of the animals, a customized vehicle, well-trained dogs and handlers and assorted equipment and supplies for the proper welfare of the dogs and the handlers. Five EWCA officers successfully underwent the detection dog handling course and are now deployed to the BIA unit. As animal welfare is key, AWF has seconded a technical advisor to EWCA to help maintain animal care standards. AWF also emphasizes a positive attitude, culture of care for the working dogs and adequate support from law enforcement. EWCA has been the main champion and responsible government agency in setting up this unit. Working with the relevant line ministries and the Ethiopian Airport Authority, EWCA was able to secure a 1,000m2 piece of land where the canine facility now stands. The canine facility currently comprises four kennels, handler housing, dog wash, and play areas. It is well landscaped and fenced for the safety and security of the team. There are future plans to have additional handler houses, a store, and an office.   

This initiative was funded by the Elephant Crisis Fund.  

About AWF Counter Wildlife Trafficking Program
AWF's longstanding and holistic Counter Wildlife Trafficking program focuses on reducing illegal wildlife trafficking by providing resources, training, and technical expertise to support rangers, scouts, prosecutors, judges, and wildlife authorities in preventing, detecting, investigating, and prosecuting wildlife crime. As part of this program, AWF has provided canine teams to wildlife authorities since 2015, training over 100 dog handlers and more than 50 dogs in seven countries: Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda.

About EWCA 
Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority a Government organization whose mission is to ensure that Ethiopia's wildlife resources conservation through the active participation of the community and other stakeholders, by enforcing national and international laws and conventions, implementing scientific conservation, to provide sustainable ecological, economic and social benefits for Ethiopians as well as the global community and pass to the next generation as a heritage.

About AWF 
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is Africa’s oldest global non-governmental organization dedicated to ensuring that wildlife and wildlands thrive in modern Africa. AWF’s programs focus on integrating wildlife conservation, human development, and economic growth, ensuring a sustainable future for both people and wildlife.

Media Contacts: For more information and to arrange interviews, contact Nakachew Berelew, EWCA, Communication Executive Officer, at nbirelew@gmail.com & +251948413410 and Wambui Odhiambo, Senior Executive Communications Specialist, at wodhiambo@awf.org & +254728886987