Perhaps most significant, a groundbreaking trial is happening in New South Wales. It works to save the critically endangered Wyong sun orchid by employing specially trained scent-detection dogs. Senior regional biodiversity conservation officer Paul Hillier is the man behind this innovative project. This project follows the NSW government’s Saving Our Species model. Collaborating with the Central Coast Council, Hillier and his team hope to revolutionize methods for monitoring and safeguarding threatened species.
The very adorable trio that will serve on the trial—three specially trained dogs in Paddy, Sully and Vera, whose handlers Mel Daly and Philly Carruthers. These canine companions have undergone rigorous training to locate the underground tubers of the Wyong sun orchid, which has faced significant threats due to habitat loss. This Australian-first project further highlights the important work that is often unreported through conservation-scent detection dogs.
The Significance of the Wyong Sun Orchid
The Wyong sun orchid, known for its dark bluish-purple flowers and pink and green stems, has become critically endangered primarily due to habitat destruction. As natural spaces continue to disappear under the weight of concrete, the fate of this one-of-a-kind species remains uncertain. Hillier warns that “it’s very dangerous when a species leaves the ecosystem; it has a ripple effect down the whole chain.”
The successful propagation of the critically endangered Wyong sun orchid also spurred on the earliest phases of this project. This world first success occurred at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. The seeds grown in that space were essential in preparing Paddy, Sully and Vera to train the next generation. These folks were plucked out well before early adolescence for this specialized task. Hillier emphasizes their importance, stating that “without them, our conservation efforts would be limited because they’re almost impossible to find with the naked eye.”
Training and Performance of Canine Detectives
Handlers Mel Daly and Philly Carruthers have seen incredible transformation in their dogs since the onset of their training. “It’s been so rewarding to see them head out so quickly after initial training, and they’re doing so well,” Daly remarked. Carruthers expressed her pride in the dogs’ performance, saying, “Sometimes they find it immediately, or it takes a couple of hours, but no matter what, I am so pleased with them.”
The cocker spaniel breed is particularly well-suited for this type of work, as Daly noted: “The cocker spaniel is a really desired breed for this type of work, and they train their entire lives.” The enthusiasm of these dogs shines through as Carruthers added, “They absolutely love what they do, whether it’s pouring rain or a hot day, they love their job.”
Future Implications for Conservation Efforts
This trial not only aids in protecting the Wyong sun orchid but allows local councils to make informed decisions regarding future developments. Luke Sulkowski from the Central Coast Council emphasized the need for such initiatives: “Australia has one of the worst species extinction rates in the world, and we don’t want our region to be part of that.” He further noted that “[Council’s] landscape is more than 6,000 hectares, and unfortunately, we still lack so much knowledge about it.”
For the National Trust’s Paul Hillier, it’s this project that has opened the door to new possibilities for conservation. He stated, “There are a lot of species, particularly flowers, that are extremely elusive and don’t want to be found the traditional way.” By utilizing scent-detection dogs like Paddy, Sully, and Vera, conservationists now have tools that could potentially “open up a whole new door to conservation,” he concluded.
