with the Conservation Detection Dogs
7 September 2016 - 11.00am to 2.00pm
Tarpein Precinct - Domain
Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney
%
of Australia's mammal species are threatened with extinction....and increasing
Species of Australia's animals and plants are listed as being at risk of extinction!
Million wildlife are eaten by feral cats in one night throughout Australia
%
Australia has the highest rate of wildlife species extinction in the world!
Threatened Species Day Celebration
7 September 2017
11.00am to 2.00pm
Location for this year
coming soon
You are invited to attend a Conservation Detection Dog Demonstration Day on Threatened Species Day at the Tarpeian Precinct of the Domain, Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney from 11.00 to 2.00pm on 7 September 2016.
The Office of the Environment’s Saving our Species program funds several conservation projects using dogs’ acute sense of smell to help find and protect threatened species. A species conservation detection dog helps sniff-out threatened species such as Koalas, Quolls, Eastern Bristlebirds, Black-tailed Antechinus and Bell Turtles. A pest species detection dog is used to find key threats to species. They also track down the scent of a feral cat or locate a small piece of noxious weed in a vast area such as Orange Hawkweed in Kosciuszko National Park.
On Threatened Species Day, members of the newly formed Canine Detection Certification Council will bring their dogs to Sydney to celebrate the work of the conservation detection dogs and their handlers by showing their work in action.
Environment Minister Mark Speakman will open this public event to celebrate the work of the conservation detection dogs and their handlers and world renowned conservation detection dog trainer Steve Austin will provide insights into the rigorous training required and MC the day.
Also on the day will be a fun event to see if someone can find the target odour before the detection dog does! Read more
Below is a list of the detection dogs you will see on this day.
Canine Detection Certification Council
With the rapid increase of demand for conservation detection dogs, the development of a structure for standard operating procedures and benchmarks for canine detection work has become important. By establishing a framework specifically for canine conservation detection organisations that utilise detection dogs will have an understanding of the standards required from a detection dog team. With a formal assessment and certification the handler team gains confidence knowing they are competent and have the obedience standard required to work with threatened species in protected areas.
At the September 7 event, the CDCC will display the rigorous standards and training of these specialised dogs and provide information about the new structure and accreditation. Read more on the CDCC website
In the video below, watch Penny go through a refresher training with handler Lynn Baker. This training simulates animals running past Penny who has been trained not to chase or harass any animal that runs past her. This aspect of a detection dogs’ training is one of the standard requirements.
Watch demonstrations from these conservation detection dogs
Penny
Becky
Tommy
Bunya
Missy
Maggie
Taylor
Connor
Emma
