After my internship with the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, I worked on a proposal for...
The Utilization of Conservation Dogs at the Cheetah Conservation Fund
This proposal helped the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) get their scent detection dog program off the ground. The program uses scent detection dogs to collect fecal samples for the genetic characterization of cheetah populations in areas of known low cheetah density in Namibia, Africa (e.g Damara land or Caprivi). Genetic analysis of fecal samples identified by the detection dogs provides information on animal numbers, demographics, sex ratios, and kinship of wild cheetah. This type of behavioral information is important in formulating successful conservation strategies.
Detection dogs are proving to be a vital tool for a conservationist. The non-invasive method of using detection dogs to obtain fecal samples allows for the study of truly wild species in their natural habitat. Past projects with carnivores include black bear, grizzly bear, kit fox, wolf and cougar scat detection.
Detection dogs are proving to be a vital tool for a conservationist. The non-invasive method of using detection dogs to obtain fecal samples allows for the study of truly wild species in their natural habitat. Past projects with carnivores include black bear, grizzly bear, kit fox, wolf and cougar scat detection.
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Some background information I used to help write the initial proposal & research grants:
- Smith, D.A., et al (2003). Detection and accuracy rates of dogs trained to find scats of San Joaquin kit foxes. Animal Conservation. 6. 339-346
- Pearsall, M.D. & Verbruggen, H. (1982). Scent: training on track, search, and rescue. Loveland: Alpine Publications Inc.
- Wasser, S.K., et al (2004). Scat detection dogs in wildlife research and management: application to grizzly and black bears in the Yellowhead Ecosystem, Alberta, Canada. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 82. 475-492
- Davenport, B. (1984). Canine training program manual, narcotic. Steilacoon, WA. Hurt, A. (2000) Training dogs to distinguish between black bear (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) feces. Project IBSCORE. University of Montana, MT.
- Snowdon, C. T. (1997). Significance of Animal Behaviour Research. http://www.csun.edu/~vcpsy00h/valueofa.htm (accessed May 2007).
- Birmelin, I. (2006) How Dogs Think. Munich, Germany: GRÄFE UND UNZER VERLAG GmbH.
- Frogle, B. (2006) Eyewitness Companions: Dogs. New York, New York: DK.
- Whitten et al (1998). Recent advances in noninvasive techniques to monitor hormone-behavior interactions. Yearbook of Physical Anthropology. 41. 1-23
- Emmons, H. (2004) Man’s best friend proves useful in detecting threatened wildlife. DRI Newsletter. Fall 2004