Meet Bela: The New Canine Protector of Pench Tiger Reserve

Bela, a 9-month-old Belgian Malinois, joins the Pench Tiger Reserve to bolster anti-poaching efforts. Trained by ITBP, Bela is a part of the Rapid Rescue Team alongside another sniffer dog, Willy. The initiative aims to curb wildlife crimes in Maharashtra's protected areas.

Bela, a 9-month-old Belgian Malinois, has recently joined the Pench Tiger Reserve to assist in anti-snare and anti-electrocution operations. This initiative has been orchestrated by the forest department of Maharashtra.

Deputy Director of Pench, Maharashtra, Prabhu Nath Shukla, announced that the sniffer dog, along with two handlers, has been integrated into the Rapid Rescue Team (RRT) after six months of rigorous training at the ITBP Basic Training Centre in Panchkula. Bela was one of 12 dogs trained for similar duties in protected areas.

The training, sponsored by TRAFFIC and WWF-India, takes place over three phases, focusing on bonding, detecting wildlife crimes, and investigating crime scenes. Bela joins Willy, another experienced sniffer dog, enhancing the department's efforts to combat poaching and wildlife crimes.