WA’S DIEBACK DOG SQUAD

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is assembling its newest taskforce: sniffer dogs.

Milo and Kelly are nan latest recruits.

Backed by a $1.3 cardinal grant from nan Australian Governments Saving Native Species Program, these 4 legged friends are connected nan frontline against Phytophthora dieback.

THE PLANT DESTROYER

Phytophthora dieback (Phytophthora cinnamomi) translates to ‘plant destroyer’ successful Greek and lives up to its ominous title.

Caption: Warning signs deter entering affected areas to forestall dieback spread.
Credit: Kelly Hopkinson

Dieback is simply a water mould. It’s invasive to Western Australia and spends astir of its clip hijacking patient works roots.

During moist conditions, Phytophthora releases spores that swim done nan soil and latch onto adjacent roots. 

Here, they invade nan plant’s cells, bargain nutrients and artifact h2o uptake.

According to Dr Kylie Ireland, DBCA’s Plant Disease Program Leader, “more than 40% of works type autochthonal to nan south-west bioregion are susceptible to dieback”.

Dieback tin move full ecosystems into works graveyards.  

SPORE PATROL

Milo and Kelly are putting their champion paw guardant to extremity nan spread.

They are some English Springer Spaniels, a canine bred specially for sniffing retired trouble.

With fine-tuned noses and precocious reward drives, uncovering this pathogen is for illustration a elephantine crippled of hide and seek.

In 2022, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services collaborated up pinch TATE Animal Training to train nan first dieback sniffer dogs.

Caption: New trainers and aforesaid wagging tails – master canine handler Ryan Tate (left) from TATE Animal Training introducing Milo and Kelly to their caller trainers
Credit: Alex Gore/DBCA

Each canine has its quirks.

“Milo is simply a overmuch bigger canine and good suited for surveying ample areas, whereas Kelly is for illustration a huffy small scientist. She’s truthful energetic and item oriented,” Kylie says.

Now their leashes person been handed complete to their WA trainers.

Each move duo will activity arsenic a portion to present nan champion successful canine conservation.

Caption: Kelly has teamed up pinch Megan Barnes (left) from Detection for Good, which uses discovery dogs for conservation and wellness purposes, and Milo has been collaborated pinch Liam Brown (right) from Glevan Consulting, specialists successful dieback mapping.
Credit: Alex Gore/DBCA

BARKING UP THE RIGHT TREE

These furry friends tin streamline discovery astatine hygiene checkpoints, successful works nurseries and successful forestry banal and tin thief representation dieback successful nan field.

Traditionally, mapping dieback was a lengthy process. It required GPS mapping, ungraded sample postulation and a laboratory study that tin return up to 2 weeks.

With Milo and Kelly, discovery is faster, sharper and much reliable.

Kylie says nan dogs tin sniff retired incredibly mini traces of Phytophthora, “potentially moreover arsenic mini arsenic half a atom of atom successful a kilogram of soil”. 

And nan dogs could beryllium doing a amended occupation than nan laboratory tests astatine detecting Phytophthora. 

This is simply a game-changer arsenic nan ambiance dries retired and heats up nan land.

“If a bushfire goes done an area and kills each of nan works type you’d usually usage to thief observe [dieback], you abruptly don’t person thing to read, whereas dogs aren’t restricted by that,” says Kylie.

Caption: Soil samples containing Phytophthora cinnamomi (dieback) utilized to sharpen discovery skills successful a assortment of substrates.
Credit: Alex Gore/DBCA

PAWSING THE SPREAD

Dieback mightiness beryllium sneaky, but pinch dogs connected nan scent, we’re 1 measurement ahead.

The aureate rule? Don’t springiness dieback a free ride.

This intends scrubbing disconnected mud, sticking to nan way and respecting signs.

“Everyone’s sewage powerfulness to protect nan bush and protect their patches,” says Kylie. 

“The baseline isn’t complicated, but sometimes a tiny and cuddly sidekick tin thief america pass that better.”

These dogs are winning hearts and engaging communities. 

They whitethorn beryllium man’s champion friend, but they’re dieback’s worst enemy.

Credit: Supplied DBCA