We all know that dog sniffers are powerful and sensitive. But did you know that our beloved canines are fast becoming one of the key partners in conservation in Hawai‘i? Conservation Dogs of Hawai‘i is a nonprofit, Honolulu-based team of dedicated animal behaviorists that collaborates with researchers, biologists, and natural resource managers to train willing dogs in services such as detection of invasive plants and animals, agricultural pests, carcasses (for avian botulism prevention), cryptic seabird burrows, and providing support to biosecurity needs. CDH began in 2016 under the leadership of founder Kyoko Johnson. Their projects have helped in the efforts to reduce the spread of the invasive devil weed, a plant that is toxic to livestock, and listed as #23 on the 100 World’s Worst Invasive Species list. They have a growing role in supporting efforts to eradicate coqui frogs on Maui. CDH also offers a free Education Program, workshops on canine scent detection, and has projects reaching further afield in other island ecosystems and communities across the Pacific. The best way to keep tabs on what this exciting group is up to is on their Instagram @conservationdogshawaii.
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