ANTI-POACHING K9 PROJECT

The SLWCS Anti-poaching K9 Unit will detect lethal jaw bombs, trap guns and wire snares in the Wasgamuwa Region of Sri Lanka.

Project Overview

In rural Sri Lanka, escalating human-elephant conflict has driven some farmers to use deadly and inhumane methods—such as Jaw Bombs and Trap Guns—to deter elephants from entering fields and home gardens. Trap Guns are set along elephant paths, causing severe injuries, while Jaw Bombs—concealed inside bait fruits like pumpkins and watermelons—explode in the mouths of elephants, shattering their jaws and leading to a slow, agonizing death by starvation.

To address this growing crisis, the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) will establish the country’s first K9 Anti-Poaching Unit in Wasgamuwa. Specially trained detection dogs will be used to track and scent these hidden lethal devices—Jaw Bombs, Trap Guns, and Snares—before they cause harm. The K9 unit will work closely with the police, forest officers, and wildlife rangers, supporting law enforcement and conservation efforts in the region.

This proactive initiative aims to prevent elephant deaths, deter the use of illegal and cruel deterrents, and promote coexistence between humans and wildlife through safer, non-lethal conflict mitigation strategies.

Summary

In Sri Lanka, two of the most brutal methods used by farmers and poachers to kill wildlife are trap guns and Jaw Bombs (Hakka Patas). Originally used to target game and wild boar, these devices are now increasingly used against elephants, causing horrific injuries and death. Jaw Bombs, which spread across the country since 2008, became the leading cause of elephant deaths in 2017 and 2018. In 2019 alone, 67 elephants died from Jaw Bomb injuries—a number likely underreported.

The spread of these devices to Wasgamuwa poses a serious threat to decades of conservation work by the

Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) aimed at fostering human-elephant coexistence.

To combat this, SLWCS plans to establish Sri Lanka’s first K9 Anti-Poaching Unit, using dogs trained to detect Jaw Bombs, trap guns, and snares by scent. Dogs’ superior tracking abilities and their deterrent effect will be key to reducing illegal activity. The unit will collaborate with police, forest, and wildlife authorities. Initial funding is needed to build facilities, train three dogs and handlers, and launch operations.

The consistent use of K9 units will not only help remove deadly devices but also deter their use by increasing the risks and costs for offenders, ultimately protecting both elephants and other wildlife.

Objectives

Establish a Specialized K9 Anti-Poaching Unit
- Build dedicated holding and training facilities for the unit.
- Acquire and train three detection dogs.
- Recruit and train three handlers to work alongside the dogs in detecting Jaw Bombs, trap guns, and snares.
Detect and Eliminate Lethal Wildlife Traps
- Deploy the K9 unit to track, scent, and locate illegal and deadly devices used to harm elephants and other wildlife.
- Conduct targeted field operations in the Wasgamuwa region in collaboration with law enforcement and wildlife authorities.
Implement a Public Awareness and Education Campaign
- Educate local communities about the dangers and illegality of using Jaw Bombs and trap guns.
- Promote understanding of non-lethal, sustainable methods for managing human-elephant conflict.
Advocate for Policy and Legal Reform
- Lobby for stronger laws and stricter penalties against the manufacture, possession, and use of these illegal weapons.
- Support enforcement agencies in prosecuting offenders.
Promote Sustainable Alternatives to Lethal Deterrents
- Educate farmers on humane and effective ways to deter elephants from crop fields.
- Promote Project Orange Elephant as a long-term, sustainable, and income-generating solution to human-elephant conflict.
Scale the Initiative Nationally
- Use the Wasgamuwa K9 unit as a pilot to expand anti-poaching efforts to other regions in Sri Lanka facing similar threats to wildlife.

Stakeholders & Collaborators:

Outcomes and Results

The expected outcomes will contribute directly to saving lives both animal and human while supporting long-term conservation, law enforcement, and community coexistence with wildlife.

Operational K9 Anti-Poaching Unit Established
- A fully functional K9 unit with trained dogs and handlers based in Wasgamuwa, actively working in collaboration with wildlife and law enforcement authorities.
Detection and Removal of Lethal Devices
- Regular identification and removal of Jaw Bombs, trap guns, and snares from high-risk areas, significantly reducing injuries and deaths among elephants and other wildlife.
Reduction in Use of Illegal Wildlife Deterrents
- A measurable decline in the presence and usage of deadly homemade weapons in the region due to increased detection and enforcement.
Increased Community Awareness and Engagement
- Improved public understanding of the dangers and legal consequences of using lethal devices.
- Greater community participation in conservation and adoption of non-lethal deterrents.
Policy and Legal Impact
- Stronger enforcement and support for new or revised legislation imposing stricter penalties on individuals involved in manufacturing or using these devices.
Adoption of Sustainable Alternatives
- More farmers implementing humane deterrents such as Project Orange Elephant, reducing dependency on harmful methods and improving human-elephant coexistence.
Scalable Model for National Expansion
- A tested and proven K9 unit model ready to be replicated in other wildlife conflict zones across Sri Lanka.
Key Results:
- 3 trained K9 detection dogs and 3 handlers deployed in Wasgamuwa.
- Dozens of lethal devices identified and removed within the first year of operation.
- A visible reduction in elephant injuries and deaths caused by Jaw Bombs and trap guns.
- A visible reduction in the number of species killed illegally by poachers.
- Community education campaigns conducted in at least 10 villages.
- Policy proposal submitted advocating for stricter penalties on the use of illegal wildlife traps.
- Initial expansion plans developed for replicating the K9 program in other regions.

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