Detection Dogs Gain Traction in Nature Conservation
The digital short format series 'Impulse for Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning Lower Saxony', hosted by the NNA, drew several hundred viewers from Germany and beyond. The event highlighted the use of detection dogs in nature conservation, sparking significant interest in the topic.
Artenspurhunde, or species detection dogs, are typically privately owned in Germany, with only a few exceptions like the Deutsche Bahn unit. These dogs are increasingly aiding scientists and conservationists in detecting and observing rare species, much like their roles in police work and rescue teams. The Wildlife Detection Dogs association is working to connect users, establish quality assurance, and develop standards and certifications.
Dr. Annegret Grimm-Seyfarth, a population ecologist at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, uses detection dogs in several projects to map species for nature conservation and wildlife management. Svenja Kremling, the only person at the Lower Saxony State Forests leading a species detection dog, previously worked with explosives and drug detection dogs in the military. Kremling trained her Irish Terrier bitch Tilda to detect the beetle species Anoplophora, coordinating the species detection dog project for the NLF. Both dogs and humans need extensive training, and numerous permits must be observed in deployment, with the dog's needs considered in the study design.
Dogs' noses can detect a multitude of scents that humans can't perceive due to their larger olfactory mucosa, ranging from 1,100 to 2,000 cubic millimeters compared to humans' 2.4 to 3 cubic millimeters. Grimm-Seyfarth's detection dogs can save time and costs compared to classic monitoring methods by targeting searches over larger areas.
The use of detection dogs in nature conservation is gaining traction, as seen in the NNA's digital series. These dogs, with their exceptional scent detection abilities, are proving invaluable in mapping species and supporting conservation efforts. As the field grows, organizations like the Wildlife Detection Dogs association are working to ensure quality and standards.
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