British Airways and African Wildlife Foundation Partner to Boost Kenya Wildlife Service’s Canine Capacity to Combat Illegal Wildlife Trafficking at JKIA

Nairobi, Kenya — British Airways (BA) and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) have partnered to strengthen the Kenya Wildlife Service’s (KWS) capacity to detect and deter illegal wildlife trafficking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), one of Africa’s busiest transit hubs and a critical point in the global fight against illicit wildlife trade.

As part of BA’s commitment to the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce and the Buckingham Palace Declaration, the airline supported the training and deployment of two highly skilled contraband detection dogs and 21 KWS handlers. The Belgian Malinois duo completed intensive training to identify wildlife products including ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales, and other trafficked wildlife derivatives transported through airports.

Illegal wildlife trafficking remains one of the world’s most lucrative forms of transnational organized crime. Airports serve as major conduits for smuggled wildlife products, and canine units have proven to be among the most effective frontline deterrents. Between January and September this year, KWS canine teams at JKIA scanned more than 25,000 flights, 55,000 cargo shipments, 103,000 pieces of luggage, and 36 shipping containers for wildlife contraband. Their work has contributed to interdictions involving antelope horns, kudu horns, assorted wildlife skulls, and other products destined for markets in the UK, USA, Europe, and Asia.

“Traffickers are becoming more sophisticated, targeting lesser-known species and exploiting fast-moving logistics networks,” said Didi Wamukoya, Director, Counter Wildlife Trafficking, African Wildlife Foundation. “This partnership with British Airways and our long-standing collaboration with KWS ensures that Kenya stays ahead of shifting smuggling methods. Investing in canine detection, investigator training, and courtroom capacity means seizures translate into successful prosecutions, not just headlines.” 

The canine deployment strengthens a broader, multi-agency effort at JKIA involving KWS, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), customs authorities, and airport security agencies.

“The arrival of the two detection dogs boosts an already strong canine unit at JKIA,” said Anthony Otieno, Head of Canine Unit, Kenya Wildlife Service. “These dogs significantly improve our ability to detect concealed wildlife products, and their presence alone serves as a major deterrent. With the support of AWF and BA, we are enhancing Kenya’s frontline defenses against wildlife crime.”

British Airways reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring wildlife trafficking has no place in aviation.

“We are proud to be partnering with Kenya Wildlife Service and the African Wildlife Foundation to help protect Africa’s wildlife,” said, Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways. “As an airline, we understand our responsibility to help ensure our networks are not used to facilitate the illegal trade in wildlife products. Supporting the canine detection unit at Nairobi International Airport is one of the many steps we are taking to help with this effort and is a practical way to uphold our commitment and contribute to global conservation efforts.”

Beyond detection, AWF’s counter–wildlife trafficking program works with investigators, prosecutors, and judicial officers across Africa to ensure strong case outcomes. This includes training on evidence management, courtroom procedures, and emerging trends such as the smuggling of genetic resources and live species. AWF’s model is currently implemented in ten countries in Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Botswana, DRC, Angola, and Zimbabwe, working in partnership with their national wildlife authorities. 

About African Wildlife Foundation
The African Wildlife Foundation is the primary advocate for protecting wildlife and their habitats as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. Founded in 1961 during the African independence movement to build Africa’s capacity to steward its natural resources, AWF bridges science, policy, and community-led conservation to ensure people and wildlife thrive across the continent.

About Kenya Wildlife Service
Kenya Wildlife Service is a state corporation mandated to conserve and manage Kenya’s wildlife resources across national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries, including leading national efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade.

About British Airways
British Airways is a leading global airline committed to responsible travel and international collaboration to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. BA is a member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce and a signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration.