Programs
Wildlife Detection and Conservation Initiatives
SINCE ITS INCEPTION, WD4C HAS COLLABORATED WITH MANAGERS, RESEARCHERS, AND CONSERVATIONISTS TO DETECT NEARLY 40 SPECIES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND WORLD. MANY OF THESE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN GROUND-BREAKING WITHIN THE REALM OF CONSERVATION BIOLOGY. WD4C PARTICIPATION AND CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE PROPELLED THE DISCIPLINE OF DETECTION DOGS FORWARD: FROM FINDING DIFFICULT AND NOVEL TARGETS LIKE A SUITE OF WIDE-RANGING CARNIVORES, ILLEGAL WIRE SNARES, INVASIVE PLANTS AND INSECTS, SUBTERRANEAN ANIMALS, AND EVIDENCE OF INVASIVE FISH IN FRESHWATER STREAMS, TO WD4C'S GROUND-BREAKING WORK USING DOGS TO DETECT ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS IN FRESHWATER ECOSTYSTEMS.WD4C ALSO SAVES DOGS. WE RECOGNIZE THAT MANY OF THE TRAITS THAT PREVENT DOGS BEING SUITABLE PETS SUCH AS HIGH ENERGY AND TOY OBSESSION, CAN SIGNAL SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL TO BE A HIGHLY SKILLED DETECTION DOG. RECENT WD4C ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE:-- Sloths are in need of protection but are incredibly hard to find in the wild theyre slow-moving and blend in with the forest so well, that just spotting them is difficult - not to mention collecting any other data or genetic samples. We partnered with the Sloth Conservation Foundation to train a dog and handler team in Costa Rica to find sloth scat to enable a DNA-based populationassessment the first and most important step in protecting these animals. -- We continue to grow one of our vital biosecurity projects which is to combat the spread and movement of invasive zebra and quagga mussels on boats and trailers. These non-native mussels outcompete native species and destroy aquatic food webs, causing both ecological and economic damage to ecosystems. Their devastating effects when introduced into water systems, cause millions of dollars in damages. Since 2014 weve been training and deploying dogs to protect bodies of water in MT, WY, CA, TX and even Alberta, Canada. Dogs are orders of magnitude faster at checking vehicles than humans, and people enjoy watching them work, so the dogs transform wait times at critical boat checkpoints into a highlight of the day. Boaters love the speed with which dogs get them on the water, and inspectors appreciate the increase in compliance and local support.--The illegal wildlife trade is, unfortunately, still going strong. Elephants, rhinos, and literally hundreds of other species are killed, captured, and trafficked around the world, with devastating effects on natural populations. Poachers and traffickers are getting more sophisticated in their methods, and we work hard to stay a step ahead of them. Thats why were integrating new cutting-edge technology like AI Cameras, geo-aware radios, and SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tools) into our Canine Reaction Units. Through our work, weve been able to helpNamibia respond to the worst epidemic of rhino poaching since that countrys independence. Namibia is one of eight countries where were continuing to support over 60 Law Enforcement Dogs that weve placed throughout Africa.--We completed our first three-year project in partnership with Indigenous Vision and the Amskapi Pikuni (Southern Blackfeet) on the first ever non- invasive study of mink and otter to look for long-lasting environmental contaminants. Utilizing Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) to identify culturally significant hunting areas, our trained dogs were able to locate mink and otter scats that can tell us whether the food webs traditional hunters rely upon are contaminated. Thanks to an innovative lab technique pioneered by our collaborators, were now able to evaluate contamination from heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and PFAs, or forever chemicals. Especially for Native communities, who use wild products over a longer portion of the year, have fewer alternative food sources, and less access to health care, the safety of wild foods is a big part of food sovereignty and maintaining healthy traditional livelihoods. Our results are critical in helping identify the safest areas for hunting and gathering wild products, and where contaminants remain, to prioritize areas for remediation. LOOKING INTO NEXT YEAR, WEVE GOT EXCITING THINGS ON THE HORIZON, FROM DEEPENING OUR ROOTS IN MISSOULA, MT WITH VOLUNTEER DAYS, NEW CULTURAL CONNECTIONS, AND LOCALLY IMPORTANT WORK ON GRIZZLY BEARS, WOLVES AND BIGHORN SHEEP; TO BEING PART OF MONTANAS FIGHT AGAINST DISEASES SUCH COVID-19 AND CWD. WE ARE PROUD TO BE A FORCE FOR GOOD AND TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE, WILDLIFE, AND WILD PLACES THAT CONTINUALLY HAVE GIVEN US HOPE AND INSPIRATION.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$1.8M
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