USE OF DOGS IN WILDLIFE USE OF DOGS IN WILDLIFE RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENTRESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT

11David K. Dahlgren, R. Dwayne Elmore, David K. Dahlgren, R. Dwayne Elmore, Deborah A. Smith, Aimee Hurt, Edward B. Deborah A. Smith, Aimee Hurt, Edward B.

Arnett, and John W. ConnellyArnett, and John W. Connelly

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, Region 1 Office, Hays, KS 67601, USARegion 1 Office, Hays, KS 67601, USA

ProloguePrologue

““My dog, by the way, thinks I have My dog, by the way, thinks I have much to learn about partridges…” Aldp much to learn about partridges…” Aldp Leopold.Leopold.

Aldo Leopold with Flick (German Aldo Leopold with Flick (German shorthaired pointer) at the Riley Game shorthaired pointer) at the Riley Game Cooperative. Photo Courtesy of the Cooperative. Photo Courtesy of the Aldo Leopold Foundation, Aldo Leopold Foundation, www.aldoleopold.org.”www.aldoleopold.org.”

IntroductionIntroduction

► Dogs may seem like an outdated tool, and use of dogs Dogs may seem like an outdated tool, and use of dogs may seem elementary, however using dogs can provide may seem elementary, however using dogs can provide many types of field-based data collection otherwise many types of field-based data collection otherwise unavailable to human-observers.unavailable to human-observers.

► Dogs can offer a unique skill set in collection of data: Dogs can offer a unique skill set in collection of data: Scenting abilities and ground coverage/speed.Scenting abilities and ground coverage/speed.

► New techniques (e.g., GPS) are available that improve New techniques (e.g., GPS) are available that improve the quality of data collected by dogsthe quality of data collected by dogs

Types of DogsTypes of Dogs

Sporting and Hound BreedsSporting and Hound Breeds

► Innate interest in GameInnate interest in Game► Selected/inherited traits that Selected/inherited traits that

are desirableare desirable► Must consider breed Must consider breed

differencesdifferences► Show vs. Field Lines within Show vs. Field Lines within

a breed (field lines more a breed (field lines more useful)useful)

► Individual traits may vary Individual traits may vary more than breed traitsmore than breed traits

Herding BreedsHerding Breeds

► Have been used for other Have been used for other wildlife taskswildlife tasks

► Herding or protectionHerding or protection► High intelligence and High intelligence and

cooperation cooperation ► Can be used in non-game Can be used in non-game

data collection (e.g., Scat data collection (e.g., Scat and tortoise detection)and tortoise detection)

General Information on Use of DogsGeneral Information on Use of Dogs

Uses:Uses:

► Far superior detection Far superior detection abilitiesabilities

► Climatic conditions affect Climatic conditions affect scenting conditionsscenting conditions

► Individual dogs differIndividual dogs differ► GPS Units designed for GPS Units designed for

dogs: Examples -Garmindogs: Examples -GarminTMTM Astro, RoamEOAstro, RoamEOTMTM

► Safety ConcernsSafety Concerns

5 Scientific Standards5 Scientific Standards

► Same dog (s)Same dog (s)► Physically fit and trainedPhysically fit and trained► Similar ClimateSimilar Climate► Restrict search period (time Restrict search period (time

of day)of day)► Balance search efforts: Balance search efforts:

equal number of dogs and equal number of dogs and researchers per unit and arearesearchers per unit and area

Locating WildlifeLocating Wildlife

Objectives:Objectives:

► Counting AnimalsCounting Animals

► Distribution of AnimalsDistribution of Animals

► Habitat UseHabitat Use

► Demographic InfoDemographic Info

► Density EstimatesDensity Estimates

TechniquesTechniques

► Distance SamplingDistance Sampling

► Belt TransectsBelt Transects

Rare or declining speciesRare or declining species

Yellow rail are more easily located by pointing dogs

GPS Data ExampleGPS Data Example

Collected with a GarminCollected with a GarminTMTM Astro Unit Astro Unit

EExample of a transect within a 40.5 ha plot to monitor greater sage-grouse using pointing dogs on Parker Mountain, Utah, 2009. Data was collected using Garmin™ Astro GPS units. Transect line spacing was designed to reduce redundancy in the dog’s path, and to allow for distance sampling procedures. A problem with this design is that grouse detected at the corners do not have a perpendicular distance to transect line.

Example of Frequency Data Example of Frequency Data Collected by DogsCollected by Dogs

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Control Tebuthiuron Dixieharrow

Lawsonaerator

Treatment Type

#

Grouse

Broods

An example of greater sage-grouse use data collected with pointing dogs in 40.5ha experimental plots on Parker Mountain, Utah, 2003–2004 (see Dahlgren et al. 2006). These data show a preference for Tebuthiuron (spike; a chemical treatment) treated plots for both grouse in general, and broods specifically. Using dogs allowed the classification of sage-grouse by age and sex, which benefited this project specifically designed to improve late brood-rearing habitat.

Author’s Dogs Used to Find Author’s Dogs Used to Find Greater Sage-grouse Leks in UtahGreater Sage-grouse Leks in Utah

Specimen and Carcass CollectionSpecimen and Carcass Collection

Examples of Uses:Examples of Uses:

► Carcass detectionCarcass detection Wind FarmsWind Farms Fence MortalityFence Mortality Poison or Disease EventsPoison or Disease Events

Example: Dogs used to Example: Dogs used to collect ducks dying from collect ducks dying from botulism, and were able botulism, and were able to quickly select live to quickly select live specimensspecimens

AdvantagesAdvantages

► Dogs have been show to Dogs have been show to find 92% of sparrow find 92% of sparrow carcasses compared to 45% carcasses compared to 45% for human searchers.for human searchers.

► Bat carcasses around wind Bat carcasses around wind facilities where dogs located facilities where dogs located 71% and 81% of carcasses 71% and 81% of carcasses at two sites, while humans at two sites, while humans only found 42% and 14%, at only found 42% and 14%, at the same sites, respectivelythe same sites, respectively

Carcass Collection ExampleCarcass Collection Example

Researcher Ed Arnett, Bat Researcher Ed Arnett, Bat Conservation Conservation International,  searches for International,  searches for dead bats and birds dead bats and birds beneath wind turbines beneath wind turbines with his Labrador retriever with his Labrador retriever at a facility in south-at a facility in south-central Pennsylvaniacentral Pennsylvania.

Scat DetectionScat Detection

Overview:Overview:

► Emerging Field (see Emerging Field (see MacKay et al 2008)MacKay et al 2008)

► Scat of many different Scat of many different mammalian Predatorsmammalian Predators

► Find more and quicker than Find more and quicker than human searchershuman searchers

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

► Sporting and Non-sporting Sporting and Non-sporting Breeds, even mixed breedsBreeds, even mixed breeds

► Takes high reward drive Takes high reward drive from dog much like law from dog much like law enforcement dogs (not all enforcement dogs (not all dogs make good candidates)dogs make good candidates)

► Specialized training neededSpecialized training needed

Scat Detection ExampleScat Detection Example

After alerting her handler to bear scat (upper center of photo) by sitting next to the sample, the scat-detection dog now ignores the scat while chewing on her reward toy while her handler prepares to label and collect the sample.  

Capturing and Marking WildlifeCapturing and Marking Wildlife

Advantages:Advantages:

► More effective and More effective and efficientefficient

► Used for birds, Used for birds, mammals, and othersmammals, and others

Examples:Examples:

► Mountain Lion capture Mountain Lion capture (hounds)(hounds)

► Bear Capture (hounds)Bear Capture (hounds)

► Grouse chick capture Grouse chick capture (pointing dogs)(pointing dogs)

Studies of Wildlife BehaviorStudies of Wildlife Behavior

►Underutilized TechniqueUnderutilized Technique

►Predator SimulationPredator Simulation

►Can be used in Wildlife Damage Can be used in Wildlife Damage ManagementManagement

Wildlife Damage ManagementWildlife Damage Management

Uses:Uses:

► Livestock Guard DogsLivestock Guard Dogs

► Predator ManagementPredator Management

► Urban Geese ControlUrban Geese Control

► Detection DogsDetection Dogs

Examples:Examples:

► Pyrenees and Akbash Pyrenees and Akbash Livestock DogsLivestock Dogs

► Border Collies chasing Border Collies chasing geese on golf coursesgeese on golf courses

► Dogs used to detect brown Dogs used to detect brown snakes in Guam to control snakes in Guam to control invasioninvasion

► Bear ControlBear Control Karelian Bear Dogs and Laika Karelian Bear Dogs and Laika

DogsDogs

Training and HandlingTraining and Handling

► Most important issue with field data collection!Most important issue with field data collection!

► Lack of training is the most prone issue for frustration in the field!Lack of training is the most prone issue for frustration in the field!

► Proper use of Electronic Collars (seek professional advice)Proper use of Electronic Collars (seek professional advice)

► Many books availableMany books available

► Scat Detection: takes specialized trainingScat Detection: takes specialized training

► Consider using a professional training, may be worth the costConsider using a professional training, may be worth the cost

► Bond formed with the dog can be highly rewardingBond formed with the dog can be highly rewarding

SUMMARYSUMMARY► Dogs bring a unique skill set to field-based data collectionDogs bring a unique skill set to field-based data collection

► Dogs can be used for many techniques including: Locating, Dogs can be used for many techniques including: Locating, Carcass Collection, Scat Detection, Capturing and Carcass Collection, Scat Detection, Capturing and Marking, Studying Wildlife Behavior, and Managing Marking, Studying Wildlife Behavior, and Managing Wildlife DamageWildlife Damage

► Many breeds and types of dogs can be used, however, Many breeds and types of dogs can be used, however, sporting, hound, and herding breeds are most popularsporting, hound, and herding breeds are most popular

► Training is the number one need before heading into the Training is the number one need before heading into the field for data collection field for data collection