Vega and Kuda, two specialist Belgian Malinois trained for conservation work, have arrived safely at Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe and completed their acclimatisation to their new operational environment. Transported from London to Harare via Dubai by Emirates SkyCargo, in partnership with UK charity Dogs 4 Wildlife, the two dogs are set to play an important role in strengthening anti-poaching operations and supporting wildlife protection efforts in the region.
Vega and Kuda form part of the park’s first specialist conservation K9 team and are now undergoing advanced integration training alongside local park rangers. Since their arrival in Zimbabwe, the dogs have completed more than 185 hours of intensive practical training with six specialist K9 handlers.
In just over a month, the Belgian Malinois have carried out more than 60 human-scent tracking exercises, consistently demonstrating their ability to follow potential poaching activity across challenging terrain. The programme’s first phase has also produced concrete operational results, including the introduction of animal welfare protocols and Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) for the dogs. These measures are designed to establish a structured and sustainable framework for the park’s K9 unit.
Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said the airline views wildlife protection as a core responsibility and welcomed the opportunity to work with Dogs 4 Wildlife.
“At Emirates SkyCargo, we believe that the protection of wildlife is a core responsibility and we are delighted to partner with Dogs 4 Wildlife to support their mission to protect endangered ecosystems,” he said.
He added that transporting live animals by air requires the highest levels of safety, precision and care, noting that Emirates SkyCargo used its handling expertise and infrastructure to transport Vega and Kuda from the UK to Zimbabwe on its flights.
“We are sure that the dogs will make a strong contribution, working in the front lines protecting the wildlife of Matusadona National Park,” Abbas said.
The operation is part of Emirates SkyCargo’s broader commitment to combating illegal wildlife trafficking. The carrier maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards the illegal wildlife trade and has implemented a complete ban on the transportation of hunting trophies across its global network.
Emirates also continues to train frontline employees to identify, report and respond rapidly to potential wildlife trafficking risks. As a founding signatory of the Buckingham Palace Declaration, the airline works with United for Wildlife to support collective, industry-wide efforts to disrupt illegal wildlife trade routes.
The carrier has also recently brought together multiple stakeholders in Dubai for a comprehensive workshop dedicated to raising awareness of the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and improving coordination across the aviation ecosystem.
The event included representatives from the Emirates Group and several UAE government entities, including the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, Dubai Customs, Dubai Police, Dubai Airports and Al Ain Municipality, as well as the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
Through detailed case studies and practical, scenario-based discussions, participants examined approaches to early detection, escalation procedures and inter-agency communication. Animal welfare and biosecurity considerations were also addressed, with the workshop aimed at further strengthening frontline preparedness across the aviation hub.
The arrival of Vega and Kuda therefore combines Emirates SkyCargo’s live-animal transport capabilities with a wider industry effort to strengthen wildlife protection, improve operational preparedness and combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
