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The Role of Conservation Dog Detection and Ecological Monitoring in Supporting Environmental Forensics and Enforcement Initiatives

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Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation

Abstract

The unique capabilities of dogs to further conservation efforts, harnessed in partnership with proficient handlers, continues to gain recognition but also remains under-utilized in many relevant sectors. This chapter shares firsthand knowledge acquired by conservation detection dog handlers in pursuit of related initiatives worldwide. Ecological monitoring applications at the interface of environmental forensics and enforcement are discussed around ways that dog-handler teams could be further incorporated therein. The notion of proactive monitoring, to facilitate sustainable preservation of organisms and ecosystems, and to lessen the strain on enforcement resources, is a prevailing theme. Recognizing the restricted resources generally available to address our most pressing conservation issues, limitations of dog-handler teams are outlined alongside strengths. Common misconceptions around who (dogs and handlers) can do this work, and the possibility of undermining dog team effectiveness through erroneous perceptions of their use as a monitoring tool, are also detailed. Considerations regarding the feasibility of implementing new international detection dog programs relative to those already in place and to additional resources and capacity, are also offered.

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Acknowledgments

This chapter is dedicated to all those working on the very front lines to protect our wild places and species, whether they be two-legged or four-pawed. We extend our appreciation and gratitude to the people who make the sacrifices and commitment to embark on partnerships with dogs and all that this work entails. Many of our working dogs have been given a second chance, rescued from an uncertain or short future, and are now engaged in a job they relish and are uniquely qualified to do. The exuberance with which all of them approach the work is a veritable joy to behold.

Earlier versions of the chapter manuscript were greatly improved by input from André Botha (Endangered Wildlife Trust); Sergio Lambertucci, Pablo Plaza and Lucía Zamora (Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Argentina); Nick Ahlers (TRAFFIC) and Nancy Harrison (formerly Anglia Ruskin University). Many thanks to these individuals for taking the time to discuss the topics and issues outlined in the chapter with us and to provide their frank, invaluable feedback.

All photos have been used with permission, and we salute the photographers who strengthened our words and sentiments through their images. Special thanks to Isabelle Groc (www.isabellegroc.com), Joel Caldwell (www.joelcaldwell.com), Iñigo Fajardo, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) for permission to use their beautiful photographs.

We remember Pepin, Wicket, Steven, Denali, Maxwell, and Scooby. They taught us everything we thought we should know, and so much more. This chapter honours the memory of our colleague and dear friend Christine Salisbury.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Working Dogs for Conservation, Missoula, MT, USA

    Ngaio L. Richards & Megan Parker

  2. Rogue Detection Teams, Rice, WA, USA

    Jennifer Hartman

  3. (Formerly with) Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA, USA

    Lauren Wendt

  4. (Former) SAR & HRD K9 Handler, Conservation Detection Dog Handler, Patagonia Employee Environmental Internship Program Intern, Ventura, CA, USA

    Chris Salisbury

Authors
  1. Ngaio L. Richards
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  2. Jennifer Hartman
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  3. Megan Parker
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  4. Lauren Wendt
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  5. Chris Salisbury
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ngaio L. Richards .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Wildlife Forensic Sciences and Conservation, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Susan C. Underkoffler

  2. Wildlife Forensic Sciences and Conservation, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Hayley R. Adams

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Richards, N.L., Hartman, J., Parker, M., Wendt, L., Salisbury, C. (2021). The Role of Conservation Dog Detection and Ecological Monitoring in Supporting Environmental Forensics and Enforcement Initiatives. In: Underkoffler, S.C., Adams, H.R. (eds) Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64682-0_11

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