Archive for the ‘Slider Turtle Detection Dogs’ Category
July 12th, 2011 | 
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I have just returned from Melbourne with Angus the worlds first “Red ear Slider Turtle and Egg” Detection dog.
Angus worked so hard over several days checking several dams for the imported pest and their eggs. We had the opportunity to meet some great people and see some great places around Victoria.
Over the past few years people have illegally imported these banned pests into Australia and some have been released into local water holes.
The Department of Primary Industries of Victoria has done an amazing job clearing the dams of this invasive species. The great determination of these hard working officers will ensure we wipe out this pest from our fragile waterways.
It was also a great opportunity to see the beautiful city of Melbourne and sample some great food from Spanish Tapas to Kangaroo steaks at some of the cities great restaurants.
Angus was very well looked after and pampered at the Pets Hotel
http://www.thepetshotel.com.au/?gclid=CMj8-ePZ6KcCFQXybwoddAp2aQ
which is one of the great boarding Kennels of Melbourne. The ladies at the Pets Hotel really took a shine to Angus and treated him like royalty. The staff at the Pets Hotel are “the best”
Angus is now having a well earned rest at home with his family until his next adventure.
Slider turtles have been brought into Australia and let loose in our dams and waterways wrecking our fragile ecosystem. The Qld.Government, Moreton Bay Regional Council and many dedicated people are trying hard to catch them all by using cathedral nets, draining dams and trapping. Angus is on the front line in locating the turtles and nests to help catch these imported pests. Angus and handler will search around water bodies over a lot of distractions ranging from native wildlife to dogs. Angus will not indicate on the many native turtles or eggs and only do an active indication on the slider turtles and eggs. Angus has had several slider turtle egg finds and is an important part in the irradiation of these pests.
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Angus the turtle detector
If the turtles in Blackburn Lake don’t smell right, Angus will sniff them out.
The pure-bred Labrador has been trained specifically to track and hunt down the illegally introduced red-eared slider turtle.
The invasive pest has been seen in Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, Elsternwick Park Lake and Ruffey Lake Park. read more….
Click on the ABC Radio logo below to listen to interview with ABC Radio about Angus the Slider Turtle detection dog.
