The Role of Conservation Dog Detection and Ecological Monitoring in Supporting Environmental Forensics and Enforcement Initiatives

The unique capabilities of dogs to further conservation efforts, harnessed in partnership with proficient handlers, continues to gain recognition but also remains under-utilized in many relevant sectors. This chapter shares firsthand knowledge acquired by conservation detection dog handlers in pursuit of related initiatives worldwide. Ecological monitoring applications at the interface of environmental forensics and enforcement are discussed around ways that dog-handler teams could be further incorporated therein. The notion of proactive monitoring, to facilitate sustainable preservation of organisms and ecosystems, and to lessen the strain on enforcement resources, is a prevailing theme. Recognizing the restricted resources generally available to address our most pressing conservation issues, limitations of dog-handler teams are outlined alongside strengths. Common misconceptions around who (dogs and handlers) can do this work, and the possibility of undermining dog team effectiveness through erroneous perceptions of their use as a monitoring tool, are also detailed. Considerations regarding the feasibility of implementing new international detection dog programs relative to those already in place and to additional resources and capacity, are also offered.