Tennis star Andy Murray has become a global ambassador for WWF supporting the fight against poaching and illegal wildlife trade. The world number eight seed will be helping to raise awareness through an initiative in Nepal that trains dogs to track down poaching activity within Chitwan National Park.

 

Andy will be raising vital funds throughout his tennis tour next year to support this crucial work in Nepal.

 

Nepal is home to magnificent species such as tigers, rhino and elephant - all of which are under threat due to poaching for the illegal trade in animal parts. As Nepal has long been a key transit route for these products, the programme aims to prevent poachers smuggling animal parts out of the park.

 

The sniffer dog training is a unique new plan that will work alongside WWF’s current wildlife trade programme in the country. In honor of Andy’s support a new puppy that will be part of the elite training team will be named ‘Murray’ www.wwf.org.uk/andy.

 

 

PHOTO: Andy Murray with confiscated wildlife items seized by the Border Force in the UK.

CREDIT: Richard Stonehouse / WWF-UK.