Meet the Dogs : The Center for Conservation Biology

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.

Rescue

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 personalites of scat detection dogs also make 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: 45 lbs.
Markings: Orange
Birthdate: 4/7/04
Adoption Date: 10/15/05
Rescue Location: Pack Leader Dog Training
Species trained on: Maned Wolf, Wolverine, Grizzly Bear, Pine Marten, Red Fox

Orion

Breed : Labrador
Sex : Male – Neutered
Weight : 57 lbs
Marking : Black
Birthdate : 9/15/03
Adoption Date : 10/15/06
Rescue Location : Olympia Animal Shelter
Species trained on: Wolverine, Gray Wolf, Moose, Woodland Caribou, Jaguar

Frehley

Breed: Border Collie
Sex: Male – Intact
Weight: 45 lbs.
Markings: Black and White
Birthdate: 4/7/04
Adoption Date: 10/7/05
Rescue Location : Seattle Animal Shelter
Species trained on: Maned Wolf, Wolverine, Grizzly Bear, Fisher

Tucker

Breed: Labrador Retriever Mix
Sex: Male – Neutered
Weight: 62 lbs.
Markings: Black with brindle
Birthdate: 8/15/04
Adoption Date: 5/15/06
Rescue Location: SnoLine Kennels
Species trained on : Wolverine, Gray Wolf, Moose, Woodland Caribou, Orca

Maxwell

Breed: Australian Cattle Dog/Mix
Sex: Male – Neutered
Weight : 45 lbs.
Markings : Blue
Birthdate : 6/19/05
Adoption Date: 8/15/06
Rescue Location : Everett AS, Cattle Dog Ranch
Species trained on: Wolverine, Sierra Nevada Red Fox

Lulu

Breed: Australian Shepherd
Sex: Female – Spayed
Weight: 35 lbs
Markings: White & Golden
Birthdate: 9/31/08
Adoption Date: 3/31/08
Owner Surrender
Species trained on: Wolverine, Sierra Nevada Red Fox

Mason

Breed: Labrador
Sex:Male – Neutered
Weight: 72 lbs.
Markings: Black
Birthdate: 06/18/04
Adoption Date: 10/07/05
Rescue Location: King County Animal Services
Species trained on : Wolverine, Maned Wolf, Mexican Wolf, Gray Wolf, Moose, Woodland Caribou, Giant Anteater, Giant Armadillo, Jaguar, Puma