Detection dogs for conservation monitoring

Abstract

Humans have historically benefited from the close affiliation of the dog (Canis familiaris), the symbiotic relationship between the species has persisted and evolved and these days has more of an emotional benefit to the human rather than a functional one. However, working dogs have different and ever expanding roles as detection dogs, where they are relied upon to alert the presence of target scents. Their role as detectors dates back as far as 12,000 years, where hunting dogs would have been detecting the scent of prey and locating it with ease. The more formal role of detection dog is comparatively more recent, with reports of dogs used for conservation purposes over 100 years ago. There are many examples of the uses of detection dogs in conservation, the effectiveness of dogs at detecting small and elusive species has been key in formulating the idea of a harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) detection dog and training of the dog is in its final stages. The harvest mouse study aims to establish if it is possible to accurately determine presence through scent alone and whether the using olfactory indicators is more effective than visual clues at determining presence of harvest mice