In a significant breakthrough for wildlife conservation in Karnataka, a specially trained German shepherd named Stella is helping forest authorities combat the deadly threat of illegal snares in the coffee estates of Kodagu. Her efforts come in the wake of a tragic incident where a tiger died after being trapped.
Stella's Crucial Role in Trap Detection
Stella, a wildlife crime detective dog, has been assisting the Madikeri forest division in locating and removing concealed traps, known as snares, from coffee plantations. With her keen sense of smell and agility, she has become an invaluable asset in the fight against poaching. Deputy Conservator of Forests (Madikeri division) Abhishek V confirmed that, with Stella's assistance, the investigating team discovered three such snares.
All the uncovered snares were old and rusted, found approximately 2-3 kilometers away from the location where a five-year-old tiger was found dead after being ensnared. The discovery highlights the persistent danger these illegal devices pose to wildlife, including endangered species like tigers.
Link to Broader Wildlife Crime and a Grisly Past Case
Forest officials suspect that outstation workers, possibly from outside Karnataka, are laying these traps in the dense, remote vegetation of coffee estates to catch small mammals. Unfortunately, these brake wire loop traps are indiscriminate, often entangling and killing non-target animals, including protected species.
This is not Stella's first major contribution. In October, she played a pivotal role in the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, where foresters found mutilated parts of a tiger. The animal had been cut into three pieces and buried in separate locations. Stella's tracking skills enabled authorities to quickly recover all the parts, aiding the investigation into the wildlife crime.
Ongoing Efforts and Preventive Measures
Following these incidents, the forest department has launched an anti-snare drive with Stella's help and intensified patrols near forest fringes. Authorities are also engaging with local communities to raise awareness about the severe impact of such illegal activities.
A key preventive step is alerting coffee estate owners. The forest department has decided to inform plantation owners to closely monitor the activities of their workers to prevent the laying of snares. Meanwhile, the investigation into the recent tiger's death continues, with Stella's nose leading the way.
Foresters emphasize that Stella's ability to swiftly navigate challenging terrain and detect the scent of wildlife and illicit activity makes her an essential partner in protecting India's precious biodiversity from the threat of poaching.
