Showcasing Conservation Programs
This is the stuff that our dogs smell! We're proud to brag that their highly-capable wet noses have assisted in a variety of incredible conservation programs over the years. They're always ready to smell new stuff (target odors), so if you're wondering, "Can the dogs locate _______ by scent?," please reach out to talk about the remarkable power of our Canine Finders' noses.
BUMBLE BEE NESTS
Multiple species of Bombus
Program Goals:
Locate bumble bee nests to assist researchers studying habitat preferences and colony behavior, and ideally locate the federally-endangered Rusty Patched bumble bee
Assigned Canine Finders:
Ernie, Betty White​, Bronty & Holly
Program Partners:
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Carroll University, Lynden Sculpture Garden, USDA, USFWS, Ohio State University, Illinois State University, DuPage County Forest Preserve District
Photos courtesy of Mike Nessman & Mary Mowbray
NEW ZEALAND MUDSNAIL
Potamopyrgus antipodarum
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Program Goals:
Determine the best use of dogs for early detection efforts of New Zealand mudsnail
Assigned Canine Finders:
Ernie, Betty White​, Holly, Jesse, Lily, and Sunny
Program Partners:
River Alliance of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
2023-25 Program Supporters:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR
BLANDING'S TURTLE
Terrapene ornata ornata
Program Goals:
Assist program partner in locating breeding females to assist with captive rearing of hatchlings.
Assigned Canine Finders:
In Training!
Program Partners:
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Photo courtesy of www.dupageforest.org
ORNATE BOX TURTLE
Terrapene ornata ornata
Program Goals:
Assist program partners in monitoring wild population of turtles within land areas of interest
Assigned Canine Finder:
Willow
Program Partners:
Polk County Conservation Board, Drake University
Photos courtesy of www.iowaherps.com
VIRGINIA SNEEZEWEED
Helenium virginicum
Program Goals:
Assist botanists and land managers to locate the population in the state of Indiana, where it is a state-threatened species
Assigned Canine Finder:
Willow
WOOD TURTLE
Glyptemys insculpta
Program Goals:
Utilize Finder-Keeper teams to assist with turtle monitoring efforts
Assigned Canine Finder:
Ernie​
Program Partners:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Zoo, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Photos © Conservation Dogs Collective
EASTERN BOX TURTLE
Terrapene carolina carolina
Program Goals:
Located eastern box turtles to assist researchers with monitoring efforts
Canine Finder Involved:
Willow
Photos © Bethany (Avilla) Richendollar
BIRD & BAT CARCASSES
Multiple species
Program Goals:
Utilize dog-handler teams to locate bird and bat carcasses at wind farms
Canine Finders Involved:
Willow & Jesse
GYPSY MOTH
Lymantria dispar dispar
Program Goals:
Pilot study to determine efficacy of dogs detecting egg masses (they can!)
Assigned Canine Finder:
Ernie
Program Partners:
Wisconsin Dept of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
WILD PARSNIP ROSETTES
Pastinaca sativa
Program Goals:
Locate rosettes in early spring to assist with early detection and eradication efforts
Assigned Canine Finder:
Ernie
Program Partners:
Mequon Nature Preserve
Photo courtesy of Hannah Stonehouse Hudson
BLUE-SPOTTED SALAMANDERS
Ambystoma laterale
Program Goals:
Utilize Finder-Keeper teams to assist with reintroduction of salamanders on the Mequon Nature Preserve property
Assigned Canine Finder:
Ernie
Program Partners:
Mequon Nature Preserve
Can our dogs help with your project?
We’re happy to discuss the PAWsabilities with you today.