Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/944484
ZOO NEWS M EM B ER MAGA ZIN E 11 0 1 VOLU M E 38 MARCH 20 18 GUARDIAN DOG TRIAL UPDATE This year is set to be a big year for the Guardian Dog trial at Zoos Victoria, with the first Maremma Guardian Dogs being sent into the field to begin their roles as Bandicoot Bodyguards. After three years, the dogs are now entering the final stages of their specialised training program as they learn what it takes to protect the Eastern Barred Bandicoot from foxes and feral cats. The first two trial sites in Victoria's western grasslands are ready and waiting the arrival of the first Guardian Dogs as we work to bring this native species back from the brink of extinction. We'll keep you up to date with the latest as this exciting trial progresses. NOSEY DOGS SUPPORT CONSERVATION RESEARCH Meet Rubble and Uda - two Border Collies with one very important job - to help the Zoos Victoria team locate threatened species. The dogs are part of Zoos Victoria's trial program to determine how Detection Dogs can assist with tracking and monitoring some of Victoria's most threatened species out in the field. Through extensive training, the Detection Dogs learn to locate specific scents using scats, feathers, skin swabs or eggs. Locating threatened species can be a tedious process, particularly when researchers often find themselves in challenging terrain and weather conditions. With the ability to cover large areas quickly, excellent hearing and a sense of smell up to 10,000 times more sensitive than our own, Detection Dogs can be very efficient field assistants. The first trial using Detection Dogs recently took place at Mt Baw Baw to try to locate the elusive Baw Baw Frog. Rubble and Uda are trained to alert the presence of the Baw Baw Frog to their handlers. During the recent trials both dogs indicated at three known Baw Baw Frog burrow sites under dense vegetation which is an exciting indication of how Detection Dogs can help give the species a fighting chance. More work is planned for the dogs in the coming months. THANK YOU ZOO MEMBERS This innovative and leading work with our Dog Squad would not be possible without the support of our Zoo Member community. Your annual membership supports our critical threatened species work and gives us the opportunity to be brave and to trial programs such as Guardian Dogs and Detection Dogs. Thank you Members! Your support during this critical time for our 21 locally threatened species is much appreciated.