Canine Conservationists

Dogs are often thought of as humans’ best friends. But in Australia, they’re partnering with people to save other species from grave threats to the island continent’s unique fauna. In Brisbane, dogs are sniffing out koala scat (and the animals who expel it) in habitats fragmented by wildfires and urbanization. Pinpointing the marsupials’ whereabouts allows researchers to map out the forest tracts that must be restored and reconnected to protect them. Farther north, on Queensland’s Woongara Coast, canines are tracking down—and taking out—invasive foxes that have devastated sea turtle nesting sites. Across the country, these canine conservationists are being employed to do everything from protecting little penguins from predators, to detecting rare platypuses, to aiding Tasmanian devil breeding efforts.