Dogs 4 Wildlife, a not-for-profit organisation that breeds and trains specialist conservation dogs to help save endangered animals in Africa, has named singer and TV personality Louise Redknapp as an official ambassador.
The UK-based charity deploys the dogs as part of the ongoing fight against rhino poaching and wildlife crimes. The specialist conservation dogs, who are bred and trained at Dogs 4 Wildlife in Carmarthenshire, contribute to reducing incidents of poaching by as much as 75%. By supporting the organisation, Redknapp hopes to raise awareness of the poaching crisis in Africa, which has more than doubled last year in certain parts of Southern Africa.
The latest reports from national governments and agencies reveal that approximately 548 rhinos were poached in Africa last year. KwaZulu-Natal, which is the birthplace of white rhino conservation, lost 295 rhino to poaching last year, including 28 rhinos poached in a 40 day period.
She said: “It is so important to raise awareness of issues including wildlife extinction, endangerment and global wildlife trafficking and poaching.
“I’ve teamed up with Dogs 4 Wildlife, who supply highly trained and fully supported conservation dogs alongside advanced ranger training to reserves, conservancies and National Parks in need across Southern Africa and the world. It is a devastating time for poaching across Africa and a Rhino is currently poached every 15 hours.”
Darren Priddle, co-founder and director of Dogs 4 Wildlife, added: “Dogs 4 Wildlife is a passion led, dedicated organisation with a view to both the inspiration of our future generations to connect with nature and the continued protection and conservation of our planets diverse wildlife.
“Having Louise Redknapp support our organisation, who herself is an inspiration to many and has, as we do, an intrinsic love for all animals is an absolute honour and privilege.”
