Active Conservation Canines | The Center for Conservation Biology

The ideal scat detection dog is extremely energetic with an excessive play drive. They will work happily and eagerly all day long, motivated by the expectation of a ball reward given only upon sample detection. The dogs’ fixation with the ball drives them to work 4-6 hours a day in the field.

The obsessive, high-energy personalities of scat detection dogs also make them difficult to maintain as family pets. A well-intended home placement often results in the dogs’ subsequent return to the shelter facing euthanasia. We rescue these dogs from the pound providing them a rewarding and satisfying career in the field of conservation research.

ALLI

Breed: Australian Cattle Dog Mix
Sex: Female – Spayed
Weight: 40 lbs.
Markings: Orange
Birthday: 4/7/04
Adoption Date: 10/15/05
Rescue Location: Pack Leader Dog Training
Species trained on: Maned Wolf, Wolverine, Grizzly Bear, American Pine Marten, Sierra Red Fox, Pacific Pocket Mouse, Pacific Water Shrew, Oregon Spotted Frog

CHESTER

Breed: Retriever, Labrador
Sex: Male – Neutered
Weight: 66lbs
Markings: Golden
Birthday: 11/28/03
Adoption Date: 12/11/08
Rescue Location: Seattle Humane
Species trained on: Wolverine, Grizzly Bear, Black Bear, Bobcat

This page is dedicated to Moja - the first scat detection dog trained by the Center for Conservation Biology. Moja’s ground-breaking work

proved the scat detection dog concept, opening a whole new noninvasive approach to conservation biology: Dogs rescued from animal shelters provide some of the most comprehensive sampling of ecosystems to date. Moja’s legacy has allowed our Center to build a program that now includes 18 resident conservation canines and many more detection dogs working for other programs around the world.

Moja served on the grizzly and black bear project in Alberta, Canada, and as program ambassador for many years. Moja appeared in numerous magazine and newspaper articles and was featured twice on Discover.Canada. Moja eventually retired, living happily as the beloved pet of our Center director. Sadly, Moja died of heart failure in the summer of 2006. However, his legacy lives on.