She may walk on four legs, but make no mistake — Lucy is now one of the most important frontline warriors in Ranthambore National Park’s battle against wildlife crime.
A sleek, alert Belgian Malinois with bright, intelligent eyes, Lucy is no ordinary dog. Fresh out of seven months of intense training at the ITBP Dog Training Centre in Panchkula, she’s joining the forest department as the park’s first-ever sniffer dog — a historic step in the reserve’s conservation journey.
Ranthambore, famed worldwide for its tigers and rich biodiversity, has battled poaching threats for years. Now, Lucy will lead the new canine patrol team, working alongside her handler, Mukut Meena, and assistant, Rohit Meena, to sniff out trouble before it strikes.
A Nose for Justice
From tracking poachers through dense forests to uncovering hidden traps, animal skins, or bones, Lucy’s job is critical. Her razor-sharp scent detection will aid forest officials in gathering forensic evidence — a game-changer for prosecuting wildlife criminals.
“This squad means we can now monitor and investigate crimes in a far more scientific way,” said Ramanand Bhakar, the park’s Divisional Forest Officer and a 2014-batch IFS officer. “Lucy will help us identify culprits, recover evidence, and deter illegal activities.”
Why Now?
The move comes amid a worrying rise in poaching incidents. While raids have been carried out before, forest officials believe Lucy’s inclusion will speed up investigations and improve conviction rates.
Backed by WWF India, this initiative marks a new era of tech-meets-instinct conservation. And while she doesn’t know it, Lucy’s work could mean the difference between survival and extinction for Ranthambore’s most vulnerable residents.
For now, Lucy has one mission: to keep the forests safe. And with her unmatched nose and boundless energy, poachers in Ranthambore might soon find that they’re no match for the park’s newest — and furriest — law enforcer.
