Source: Bay Journal
Detector dogs are transforming conservation efforts, using their powerful noses to locate rare plants and invasive species. Encore, a trained Labrador, recently helped locate the endangered small whorled pogonia orchid in Fort Walker, VA. This orchid, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, is vital for monitoring environmental health but is difficult to find due to its green color and ability to stay dormant underground.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Maryland Detector Dog Program, which previously eradicated invasive nutria on the Delmarva Peninsula, partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to train dogs for orchid detection. These dogs identify the orchid by scent without damaging the plants. Since 2022, the program has surveyed over 250 miles, finding 320 orchid groups, even in areas previously deemed orchid-free. This innovative approach allows for faster, more accurate surveys, helping researchers protect critical habitats and contributing to conservation science.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.bayjournal.com/news/wildlife_habitat/this-dog-will-hunt-for-rare-flowers-in-bay-watershed/article_a9ea37d6-a922-11ef-b56f-e33ec52badd2.html