One of Assam’s sharpest wildlife guard dogs retires

On India's 80th Independence Day, one of Assam's most skilled wildlife guard dogs, Leon, a Belgian Malinois, retired from service. Leon's notable career included tracking wildlife crime suspects, aiding in anti-poaching efforts, and protecting Assam's wildlife. The Belgian Malinois gained fame for leading forest department and police personnel to a rhino poacher during the 2019 floods, following the suspect's scent trail for nearly 20 kilometers across several forest camps and checkpoints.

Leon, an integral part of Aaranyak's K9 Sniffer Dog Squad, served the Forest Department and police in and around protected areas. He was primarily responsible for maintaining wildlife crime control across the 1,302 square kilometers of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Leon's handlers, Anil Kumar Das and Mrigen Das, highlighted his role as a vigilant guardian of Kaziranga's natural heritage, attributing his success to their combined efforts.

Over his 8 years in service, Leon underwent rigorous 12-month specialized training to qualify for field duty. He conducted over 200 patrols and participated in more than 30 specialized tactical operations, working closely with frontline personnel from the Forest Department and the State police. Leon's last mission involved assisting the Assam Police in a high-profile gold theft case in Golaghat town in 2025, showcasing his scent-tracking abilities beyond forest boundaries.

The Forest Department and police retired Leon with official honors on his retirement day, August 15, 2026.