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As part of our educational Canines for Conservatio

As part of our educational Canines for Conservationists program, we will be hosting a free 2-hour scent detection dog workshop on Saturday morning January 30th in Pearl City, O’ahu. We have a few working spots available for anyone who would like to participate with their pet dog. Please see details and criteria below and contact us at info@conservationdogshawaii.org if you have questions or would like to participate:
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If you are a field tech, biologist, or researcher in wildlife conservation or agriculture, and are interested in learning about scent detection dogs, you’re invited to join this workshop which will consist of the following elements and topics:

* Hands-on scent detection training, with your pet dog participating as one of the demo dogs. Learn about the behaviors your dog displays when he/she is hunting and “on odor”

* Brief overview of the various roles that detection dogs play in existing conservation efforts around the world

* Explanation of the environmental factors and target species characteristics that can affect the efficacy of detection dogs, particularly in Hawai‘i

With the scent detection basics learned in the workshop, participants will be able to continue this fun activity with their pet dogs at home. Senior dogs, vision- or mobility-impaired dogs, and environmentally sensitive dogs are all welcome. No obedience experience necessary! 😄 (Workshop will be outdoors with masks, social distancing and 5 or less participants.)

Photo of sooty terns by @tor.johnson.photography

#CaninesForConservationists #scentdetection #hawaiiconservation #C4C

Who wants to be a Devil Weed Exorcist? Oahu Invasi

Who wants to be a Devil Weed Exorcist? Oahu Invasive Species Committee is seeking volunteers to help with invasive plant removal. As you may know, CDH has been actively involved in detecting devil weed for the last 2 years. But when hot spots are found, it requires a ton of manual labor to cut off flowers and seeds, and then uproot the plants. Community involvement would greatly help the effort. North Shore residents, in particular, who are opposed to the use of herbicides in their environment may be interested in getting involved. Please read below to find out about OISC’s virutal volunteer training!
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🌱REPOST FROM @oahuisc 🌱
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There's a new volunteer program coming from OISC focusing on the removal of devil weed. We are looking for people to commit to surveying specific areas and priority trails at least twice a year. There are also known areas on the island where Devil Weed is prevalent and large patches will need to be removed. OISC will conduct virtual training every month on plant identification, how to manually remove large patches and mature plants, and how to report the data using a free smartphone app.
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Interested? Message us or Email us at oisc@hawaii.edu to get on the list for the first virtual training happening in February.
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#devilweed #chromolaenaodorata #invasivespecies #invasivespecieshawaii #volunteerhawaii #oahu #hawaii #getoutside #explore #removal #plants #volunteeropportunity #oahuhikes #hikehawaii #hikewithpurpose #demodevilweed #exorcists #oahuisc #oisc

CDH K9 trainer Kyoko Johnson and dog handler Miche

CDH K9 trainer Kyoko Johnson and dog handler Michelle Reynolds recently returned from Johnston Atoll, where they conducted surveys for yellow crazy ants with their detection dogs Solo and Guinness. While this project was not part of CDH’s program, we are excited to share the story (link is in our bio), including the effect of the infestation on the seabirds at Johnston, and the years-long eradication efforts. Kyoko and Michelle were honored to be a part of this effort, and we hope this project opens the door for more conservation dog work in the remote atolls! Huge kudos to the project lead Aisha Rickli-Rahman for making this project a reality, and mahalos to the biological shadows Aisha and @keelyshae17 for keeping the dogs and handlers safe while gathering survey data and ensuring the least disturbance to the seabirds.

📸 @tor.johnson.photography

🐾 Pic 1: Dog handlers and dogs at the refuge sign; Pic 2: Kyoko, Solo and Aisha on a survey, with nesting red-footed boobies overhead; Pic 3: Michelle, Guinness and Keely on a late afternoon survey. 🐾

#conservationdogs #johnstonatoll #yellowcrazyants #anoplolepisgracilipes #invasivespecies #wilddogofwaialua #gmanflyingnun #femalek9handlers #womeninconservation

We are enjoying working with new dog handlers who

We are enjoying working with new dog handlers who are training towards conducting avian botulism surveys. As with all canine-assisted field work, there are so many aspects to the training, whether it be odor imprinting and discrimination, working through environmental distractions and challenges, or the handler learning how to read the dog in a variety of situations. Today we discussed search patterns and strategies as they relate to a specific type of terrain. The images show a few of the different types of terrain and weather conditions found at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.

📸 @tor.johnson.photography

#avianbotulism #conservationdogs #detectiondogtraining #hanaleinationalwildliferefuge #wilddogofwaialua #labradorsofinstagram

A belated Hau’oli Makahiki Hou to all! We should

A belated Hau’oli Makahiki Hou to all! We should warn you that we fell in love with boobies during the recent Johnston Atoll trip, so we will be posting lots of booby pics in the coming months 😊 Here is an above-and-below shot of a brown booby, which is less common on Johnston island than the red-footed variety. We love that the reflection of the ocean is making its belly turquoise. Oh and yes, the other creature is a giant omilu, or bluefin trevally, which came right up to our volunteer photographer to investigate, and circled him a few times before swimming off. The east side of the island, where the photo was taken, is the windward side, and therefore has the largest concentration of these seabirds, which rely on wind to take off.

📸 @tor.johnson.photography

#bluefintrevally #brownbooby #wildlifephotography #johnstonatoll #aboveandbelow #underwaterphotography

Not quite a partridge in a pear tree but even bett

Not quite a partridge in a pear tree but even better, we have red-footed boobies in a milo tree. Can you count how many boobies are in this photo? (Hint: it’s more than 15.) Dog handler @michelle.reynolds.142 and K9 Solo just returned from Johnston Atoll where they were surveying for invasive ants. We will share more photos and stories soon!
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#wilddogofwaialua #redfootedbooby #johnstonatoll

This past holiday week, our volunteers were busy i

This past holiday week, our volunteers were busy in the field but without the dogs. As you may have seen in @oahuisc ‘s post last week, the invasive devil weed plant is currently in bloom. We carefully cut off numerous flowers in previously detected hot spots to prevent further spread. We plan to get out there again soon to uproot the plants. Check out the giant garbage can and large paper bags full of the blooms! For those of you on Oahu who’d like to get involved in this eradication effort, please contact us or Oahu Invasive Species Committee.
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Mahalo @julie.rivers.67 and @tailsticks for your efforts!
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#chromolaenaodorata #devilweed #invasivespecies #invasiveplants #DemolishTheDevilWeed #NW4C

Happy Holidays from Conservation Dogs of Hawaii! O

Happy Holidays from Conservation Dogs of Hawaii! Our social media poster-in-chief will be traveling with no internet access for the next 3 weeks, so our feed will be quiet for a while. But we are excited to announce that our new online store is now live and features a variety of "CDH Supporter" merchandise!
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If you're looking for a stocking stuffer or a treat for yourself, please check out our t-shirts, tank tops, mugs, face masks and more - they come in a variety of styles and colors. Store link is in our bio.
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Profits from each product sale will fund CDH's programs, including: 1) invasive devil weed surveys, 2) melon fly agricultural pest detection feasibility project, 3) establishment of Hanalei NWR's avian botulism volunteer K9 program, and 4) rodent and mongoose detection training proof-of-concept project.
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Mahalo for following our adventures thus far. We wish you happiness and health for the holidays!
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Visit our website to find our online store or go to http://teespring.com/stores/cdh-online-store
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#givingtuesday #xmasgiftideas #giftsforacause

Dog handler @michelle.reynolds.142 rewards Guinnes

Dog handler @michelle.reynolds.142 rewards Guinness for his find during a training session. G-man thinks the flirt pole is the best thing ever! We have less than a week before the big voyage to Johnston Atoll. The objective of the 3-week trip is to survey for invasive yellow crazy ants that had wreaked havoc on the resident seabirds for many years. YCA fortunately have not been seen on Johnston for the last few years. The K9 surveys along with the final visual surveys by CAST XX (Crazy Ant Strike Team 20) will provide added confidence that the target has truly been eliminated.
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Note: The YCA project is being conducted independently of CDH by our K9 trainer Kyoko but we will be sharing updates.
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#yellowcrazyants #anoplolepisgracilipes #invasiveants #johnstonatoll #flirtpole #gmanflyingnun

Last but certainly not least in our Fall 2020 Pet

Last but certainly not least in our Fall 2020 Pet Photography Campaign is Yogi.
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📸 @chipperton_photography
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Yogi is a 3-yr old Labrador Retriever who began participating in our Nose Work for Conservation program two years ago, including the devil weed and melon fly proof-of-concept projects. Not surprisingly, he is extremely food-motivated and has excelled in scent training. During his down time, Yogi is a live-in mascot and goodwill ambassador at historic @bayerestate in Hawai’i Kai. In addition to supporting our conservation cause, Yogi’s dog mom Sooz is interested in furthering the use of dogs for the early detection of cancer in humans.
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Please visit our website for more info on this Fall 2020 Pet Photography Campaign. Mahalo for your support! A portion of proceeds will be donated to CDH when you book a pet photo shoot with studio animal trainer and photographer Sue Chipperton - who also happens to be one of our dedicated volunteers. Sue’s animal coordinating credits include the "Lost Puppy" Super Bowl Budweiser commercial and police K9 @h50eddie from Hawai’i Five-0.
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#NW4C #VolunteerDog #LabradorsOfInstagram #petphotography #dogphotography #phodography

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response is hiring a can

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response is hiring a canine handler on O’ahu! @crbhawaii is a dedicated group of folks who work hard to mitigate the effects of this destructive pest.
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To find out more visit RCUH.com -> WORK -> Job Postings -> CRB Survey Canine Handler.
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Featured in this photo are dog handler Cody and K9 Bravo.
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#coconutrhinocerosbeetle #agriculturalpest #invasivespecies #conservationdog

Happy #TongueOutTuesday from all of us at CDH 😋

Happy #TongueOutTuesday from all of us at CDH 😋 Along with Ula from our previous post, K9s Brock and Toad joined our devil weed program a few months ago. Brock is a German Shepherd Malinois mix, and Toad is a Blue Heeler. Congratulations to both pups and their handler Sue Chipperton for recently passing their Odor Recognition Tests! Sue joined our team with decades of animal training experience including with marine mammals and studio/movie animals. We are stoked that she and her dogs found their way into the world of scent detection, and we look forward to their contribution to field surveys. 🙌

📸: @tailsticks

#conservationdogs #invasiveplants #devilweed #DemolishTheDevilWeed #NW4C #gsdsofinstagram #malinoisofinstagram #blueheelersofinstagram #australiancattledogsofinstagram

Introducing @julie.rivers.67 and her 5-yr old choc

Introducing @julie.rivers.67 and her 5-yr old chocolate Lab Ula, a new dog-handler team in our devil weed program. Ula detected his first wild devil weed plant during a field training this morning, 25 meters off of the main trail. He also pinpointed a few tiny seedlings in other locations that were barely visible to the human eye. Good job guys!
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Prior to devil weed detection, Ula and Julie trained in sport scent detection on O’ahu as well as truffle hunting in Italy. Julie is currently a conservation biologist for the Navy, and before that, worked for @oahudofaw ’s Nā Ala Hele trail crew, where she helped to restore native habitat and combat invasive species. She and Ula are also avid hikers so she thought the invasive plant detection would be a perfect fit. Welcome to the team Julie and Ula!
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#NW4C #DemolishTheDevilWeed #chromolaenaodorata #invasiveplants #invasivespecies #devilweed #siamweed #labradorsofinstagram #chocolatelab

Whenever we get a chance, we like to feature fello

Whenever we get a chance, we like to feature fellow wildlife detection dog teams in the Hawaiian islands. Emma is originally from California and started her working dog career as a seeing eye dog trainee. If you've met this wild pup, you'll understand that being a service dog was not her calling! She "career changed" to become an ecological detection dog. Emma has a fierce drive to work, so her new job was perfect for her. She, along with 2 other Labradors, were trained to sniff out avian and bat fatalities for the Habitat Conservation Plan of the Kahuku and Kawailoa wind farms on the North Shore of O’ahu.
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When the HCP transitioned from a high-intensity to low-intensity monitoring effort in 2015, Emma was adopted by her now handler @ninaalenabeatty. Emma and Nina are both grateful for the important work they do, which helps gather data and holds the wind farms accountable. Searching is not all fun, games and cookies though - it's often hot and strenuous, starting at first light to beat the heat, walking for miles and miles to ensure good area coverage, and remaining vigilant of the dog's changes of behavior and direction of the wind. But "nothing beats a hard day of work when you get your canine as your co-worker,” says Nina. Keep up the good work, island girls!
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#emma_jeanne_surf_queen #workingdog #labradorsofinstagram #ecodog

Sending you good vibes only on this post-election

Sending you good vibes only on this post-election Saturday! K9 @qanagator and handler @betabitzer pause for a photo op during their devil weed survey. A couple of our new team members Sue and Julie shadowed them and got practice differentiating between target vs non-target plants, as well as uprooting devil weed plants. Between all K9 and human team members, 53 plants were detected. Good job gang!
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#chromolaenaodorata #siamweed #devilweed #invasiveplants #invasivespecies #DemolishTheDevilWeed #NW4C #conservationdog #malinoisofinstagram #belgianmalinoisofinstagram #maligator

Coconut rhinoceros beetle is a major pest that dam

Coconut rhinoceros beetle is a major pest that damages coconut and oil palm trees, often leaving behind v-shaped cuts in the fronds and holes in the base of the fronds. On this Aloha Friday we are excited to feature @crbhawaii and their K9 teams:
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“CRB detection canines Rider (left) and Bravo (right), are working hard to identify breeding sites based on the scent of CRB larvae, along with their handlers Vanessa and Cody. When Rider or Bravo smells its target in a breeding site, they show a positive response by sitting.”
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“Rider and Bravo's detection work helps the CRB response crew to use their time and resources more efficiently: one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of CRB is early detection and treatment of breeding sites. The canine team is essential to the CRB Response's work to protect palms on Oahu!”
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We had the pleasure of meeting their team last week and we hope to help raise awareness about CRB. In future posts we will share more information about how you can prevent spread to new locations. Happy Aloha Friday!

#coconutrhinocerosbeetle #invasivespecies #invasiveinsect #conservationdogs

Gracie is an Australian Shepherd and the 4th featu

Gracie is an Australian Shepherd and the 4th feature of our Pet Photography Campaign. This island girl loves to hike, swim, and paddle-board, and is happiest when her whole family, or “herd,” is together. Gracie and her "mom" @mermaidinglauren are participating in the melon fly proof-of-concept project, which is currently on hold but is set to resume in the new year. Lauren works for @HMAR or Hawaii Marine Animal Response, and among her roles in their marine debris program are leading volunteers on clean-up dives around Oahu’s reefs, assisting with all boating operations for the organization, and responding to calls of concern regarding Hawaii’s protected marine species.
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Photo by @chipperton_photography
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About our Fall 2020 Pet Photography Campaign (more info on our website): This year has been a tough year financially for everyone including non-profit organizations. In-person fundraising events are not possible due to the pandemic, which is why we came up with this campaign. It may seem like a luxury to get professional photos taken of your pet, but we also think that a photograph is a window into an animal's soul and something that can be cherished for a lifetime. We hope this campaign clicks with a few of you out there!
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#NW4C #AussieShepherdsofInstagram #petphotography #dogphotography #phodography

Hawai’i is the most isolated chain of islands in

Hawai’i is the most isolated chain of islands in the world. Many of the plants and animals that established themselves here millions of years ago lost their defenses against predators. Introduced rodents and mongooses have a hugely negative impact on Hawaii’s native species.
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CDH has discussed the idea of starting our own small mammal detection program for some time now. We are finally taking the leap with a proof-of-concept training project, following the pest detection program guidelines of @docgovtnz and the advice of @nzconservationdogs
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In Hawai’i there are many potential bio-security applications for this type of conservation dog. Because mongooses are not established on Kaua’i, ships and containers heading to Kaua’i could be screened for them. Boats delivering supplies to remote atolls could benefit from being screened for rodents to prevent accidental introductions to sensitive bird sanctuaries.
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Our proof of concept project includes terriers and non-terriers, and aims to have the dogs detect the live target animals as well as associated scents that indicate presence. We are only at the beginning of our journey but we look forward to giving you updates!
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#RootOutTheRodents #pestdetection #rodentdetection #nw4c #biosecurity
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Photo: K9 Henry and @calvinandsusie / Video: K9 @h50eddie and @tailsticks

A big mahalo to @kongcompany for sending a care pa

We had a fun group training session with the devil

We had a fun group training session with the devil weed teams today. The muggy conditions and light wind created some interesting challenges for the dogs. Mahalo to @hawaii_dlnr @oahudofaw for letting us train at their base yard. And big thanks to our dedicated volunteers and their dogs for the time and effort they put in to help detect and eradicate invasive species! @tailsticks @betabitzer @qanagator @sandi.sue1 and Julie
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#devilweed #chromolaenaodorata #invasiveplants #invasivespecies #conservationdogs #NW4C #demolishthedevilweed #womeninconservation

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