Professional Development Course

March 2026 Field Update | South Africa

Gear Delivery, Eight Days of Scenario Training, and Multi-Reserve Conservation Support in the Eastern Cape March 2026 marked another sustained operational cycle for Global Conservation Force (GCF) and our long-standing […]

wildlife veterinary program africa

2026 Global Conservation Force | Professional Development Courses

Global Conservation Force (GCF) is excited to announce our series of immersive, hands-on conservation training courses for 2026! Designed to provide participants with critical skills and education, these programs offer a unique opportunity to contribute directly to wildlife protection efforts while experiencing the diverse beauty of South Africa.

Rhinos

Global Conservation Force Hosts Annual K9 First Aid Training for Ranger Handlers

On March 24, 2026, we ran our annual K9 First Aid training for ranger handlers across South Africa’s Eastern Cape. This critical program was delivered in partnership with the expert veterinary team from Ikhala Veterinary Hospital, including veterinarians and veterinary nurses who play an essential role in the ongoing health and survival of conservation working dogs.

partners and collaborations

GCF x War Dog Tactical Gear Now Available

We’re thrilled to announce that GCF x War Dog Tactical gear is officially available for purchase in US! This line of tactical harnesses, collars, and collapsible water bowls combines field-ready durability with support for a great cause—every purchase helps fund GCF’s conservation K9 programs.

Volunteer Programs

The First Annual Eastern Cape Ranger Reserve Challenge

This March marked the launch of the inaugural Eastern Cape Ranger Reserve Challenge, a thrilling new tradition that will now run annually each March. Anti-poaching teams from across our partner reserves came together for a friendly, high-energy competition, testing strength, skill, teamwork, and sheer determination in the field.

Projects

A First for GCF in Nepal: World Pangolin Day 2026

This year marked a powerful milestone as World Pangolin Day 2026 was celebrated on the ground in Nepal’s Tanahun District—bringing communities, students, and conservationists together for the very first time around one shared mission: protecting pangolins.

partners and collaborations

Mike Veale Shares Global Conservation K9 Insights at Thames Valley Police Training Center

GCF's Mike Veale, recently presented at the Thames Valley Police Training Center, engaging an international audience of working dog trainers, handlers, police K9 officers, and program leaders from England, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, and the United States. Mike’s presentation focused on the critical role of K9 teams in wildlife protection, conservation, and counter wildlife trafficking operations. Drawing from GCF’s global experience, he highlighted the importance of parallel initiatives that complement dog handling—including targeted operational strategies, multi-tiered training programs for both dogs and handlers, and best practices for achieving total operational readiness.

Podcast

Coffee & Conservation: Rita Santas on Conservation K9s, Dogs for Nature, and Building Capacity in the Field

In the latest episode of Coffee & Conservation, Mike sits down with Rita Santas, conservation K9 handler and founder-owner of Dogs for Nature in Portugal, to talk about her journey into working dogs for conservation, the realities of deploying K9 teams in the field, and the changes needed to strengthen conservation and wildlife protection globally.