Evaluate the success of training dogs for use in the conservation of the Sunda pangolin

Sunda pangolin

(Manis javanica)

IUCN 级别

LC 无危

CR 极危

EX 灭绝

The challenge

When a man’s best friend can be a guardian for wildlife

Dogs have a strong sense of smell and if trained, they can be used in a variety of habitats to gather data on a wide range of species. However, the use and success of such dogs in locating scat and live targets have been limited across Southeast Asia because there isn’t enough training for handlers and conservationists have a poor selection of dogs to choose from (usually ex-hunting dogs).

The goal

A different kind of re-con team

This project aims to evaluate the success of training a dog team (trainer and dog) by utilizing the expertise of an experienced, international organization (Working Dogs for Conservation, WDC). They will select dogs with traits that have been identified as important from a selection of ex-service dogs and direct the training of both them and the handler in a ‘train the trainer’ set up. This provides us with trained teams that can be used for several uses at both a local and regional level, including comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) that account for elusive species including primates and pangolins. It will also help as a key tool in the establishment of long term population studies and surveys for local populations of the Critically Endangered Sunda pangolin.

The impact

Forging new ground for mapping wildlife in Southeast Asia

The project is enroute to producing a recommended methodology for training conservation dog teams, which means that conservation dogs and their handlers will be able to locate both live targets and scat of Sunda pangolins. In addition to sharing these findings with members of the IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group, the publication of the results will broaden knowledge and awareness in the larger scientific community on the use of conservation dog teams to protect endangered wildlife in Southeast Asia.