Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board (MRLB), Skylos Ecology and Animals Anonymous have joined forces on an innovative project. They are employing specially trained detection dogs to help them find the endangered Murray-Darling carpet python. This semi-arboreal snake used to be common throughout much of the coastal and sub-coastal south-east Australian environment. Its population has recently declined due to habitat destruction, illegal poaching and predation. The Murray-Darling carpet python will be fully protected from now on. You’ll often spot it on the river’s edges, on flood plains, and in the depressions of giant river redgums.
The overall goal of our project is to strengthen conservation efforts by using detection dogs in a community-driven approach. Making it iSPYthon This initiative fits perfectly with iSPYthon, a new citizen science project launched in 2023. It prompts locals to record and report their Murray-Darling carpet python sightings. The trials use captive bred pythons from Animals Anonymous, which are an important part of training the detection dogs.
The Role of Detection Dogs
Using detection dogs to locate the elusive Murray-Darling carpet python is just one exciting new direction in the work of conservation detectives. According to Melissa Burford, a threatened fauna ecologist with MRLB, these snakes are “notoriously difficult species to survey for.” Beyond their delightful cuteness, their secretive and enigmatic nature makes traditional surveying techniques difficult, pushing researchers to develop other creative techniques.
Fiona Jackson, also a collaborator on the project, noted how using detection dogs is pretty unique for this type of work. “As far as we know this has never been done in Australia before — a detection dog looking for a python,” she stated. Dogs like Oakley and Rex, pictured above, have undergone detection canine-familiarization training. What they lack in conservation function, they more than make up for by safely connecting target species to their natural habitats.
Tracy Lyten, who trains the dogs, told us that they implement positive reinforcement-based techniques to training. I mean, we generally do not put too much emphasis on punishment, we’re all about positive reinforcement. This involves us associating the target odor with a reward,” she explained. With this method, you’re ensured of powerful training. Besides helping with training, it cultivates a positive experience for dogs and their handlers.
Community Involvement and Citizen Science
The iSPYthon project serves as an integral component of these trials, aiming to engage community members in documenting sightings of the Murray-Darling carpet python. This grassroots effort does more than raise awareness about this impactful endangered species. It helps researchers map their distribution by providing an exact location where one has been found.
Burford emphasized the importance of community participation: “We’re really interested in learning about the critical habitat that could help them persist in the environment.” By motivating residents to log their experiences with the venomous snakes, researchers can collect useful information. That knowledge will be critical to inform future conservation priorities and strategies.
This joint effort with local wildlife educators such at Animals Anonymous has been very successful. Using the captive-bred snakes during practice sessions have given the dogs a real-life target to train on. We have been able to consider some considerable positives. Jackson said they were very excited to get out there and work on it further in October.
Training Challenges and Innovations
Training detections dogs for this particular task is not without its challenges. In the field, it’s up to the handlers to be sure that both the dogs and the snakes are safe while they work. And the dogs need new training methods to suit their one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Lyten shared insights into this process: “When a dog normally finds something they perform what’s called a passive alert where they drop and point at it.”
Safety protocols are paramount. The team has developed a system where each dog’s method of indication aligns with finding the Murray-Darling carpet python without risk to either species. Human-centered design We focused on keeping the training sessions enjoyable and engaging for the dogs. We primarily utilize food rewards but revert to toys depending on individual dog preference. For some dogs, food is the ultimate lure — others go nuts for toys. It’s less about the theme and more about designing a compelling game,” Lyten said.
As a team they have a profound belief in the potential of the work they’re doing. They hope that this pioneering approach will create novel resources for environmental preservation projects.
