"You always want a dog that wants to work, that’s first and foremost, they have to enjoy what they are doing. Rodent dogs need to have a certain level of prey drive as they are effectively using their natural ability to hunt to find the invasive species. However, a dog working at an airport has to want to search but also has to be calm and relaxed around big crowds. The job determines what qualities you will look for in selecting a dog."
ACAP Secondee, Naomi Cordeiro with her detection dog, Sammy; photo supplied

New Zealand’s Conservation Dogs Program (CDP), which is managed by the Department of Conservation, has welcomed detection dog-handler, Naomi Cordeiro for her ACAP Secondment. Members of the CDP will host Naomi as she immerses herself with its world-class detection dog teams where she will learn new conservation techniques as part of her Secondment. 

Helen Neale, Conservation Dogs Programme Manager at the Department of Conservation commented: "The Conservation Dogs Programme is always keen to support visits from overseas dog handlers working in conservation – the exchange of information around how dogs are being utilised on other projects is so valuable and supports our ongoing learning as a programme. It also connects us both with new and emerging applications for our dog handler teams."

Originally from Scotland, Naomi now lives in the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas*, having moved there in 2017 for a job in biosecurity with the government. Her interest in detection dog-handling was sparked when she saw detection dog teams working on a biosecurity detection dog programme following the successful eradication of rats and mice from the main island of South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)*.

“I became a bit of a groupie to the dog teams, and so when the job came up, I applied and was successful. I did my initial training in Virginia, USA with Working Dogs for Conservation, I’ve been to the UK to train with a specialised conservation detection consultancy there, and this year I’m doing a week’s training in Holland.”

Naomi currently provides biosecurity services in the South Atlantic with her consultancy, South Atlantic Detection Dogs (SADD). The detection dogs ensure vessels and cargoes are rodent-free before they journey onwards to rodent-free islands, a conservation measure that safeguards the region’s wildlife including priority populations of ACAP-listed species. However, biosecurity is just one area of application for detection dogs in conservation, and through her secondment with NZDOC, Naomi aims to develop her dog-handling skills further in order to expand SADD’s conservation services to include the use of detection dogs to assist with burrowing seabird surveys, and detecting occupancy. 

“I’m excited about the possibility of bringing a new technique to this corner of the world that we know has worked elsewhere but so far haven’t had the capacity and knowledge to deliver. If we can get a dog team up and running to support conservation in a new way, that would be wonderful,” she said.

Naomi and detection dog, King who is sniffing out a fishing vessel for rodents before its onward journey to a rodent free island in the South Atlantic

Filling data gaps for ACAP-listed species is identified by the Agreement’s Advisory Committee as a priority task in its Work Programme. With the population and distribution of White-chinned Petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis on islands in the South Atlantic poorly understood, the objectives of Naomi’s secondment will lead to progress in addressing that gap. The use of detection dogs for burrowing seabird surveys and detecting occupancy is a technique recognised by ACAP, and employed by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation. Naomi is excited at the chance to immerse herself with NZDOC’s world-leading experts and apply her newfound knowledge back home.

“[It] will be interesting to compare their invasive species detection to how we do things…I’m hoping to be able to work with dog teams that work on protected species, such as petrels and kiwis. Specialised burrowing seabird detection dogs work in NZ to help with census data and mapping distribution. This is something we don’t use dogs for in the Falklands/Islas Malvinas yet, but I think could be a great human-dog collaboration to better understand our burrowing seabirds.”

Fostering collaboration between Parties is a key objective of ACAP Secondments. The first-hand experience Naomi will receive from training with NZDOC's Conservation Dogs Program detection dog-teams not only strengthens partnerships between Parties, but is an aspect of her secondment near impossible to learn remotely, and vital to build the skills needed as a detection dog-handler. Luckily training, says Naomi, is one of the parts of the job she really loves.

“When you live on a small, isolated island, opportunities to see other dog teams working are pretty limited so I’m really looking forward to seeing a variety of dog teams do their thing. I love learning, so training for me is something that you just have to keep on doing. Lastly, I’ve very kindly been invited to the CDP Hui and training camp, which is their annual get together for all their dog teams, which I’m sure will be an invaluable way to speak to as many practitioners as possible and soak up as much info as I can.”

Longer term, building this capacity in the South Atlantic will enable SADD to train additional dogs and handlers, thereby widening the scope of conservation services that can be provided by detection dog-teams in the region. 

Follow Naomi as she posts updates on her ACAP Secondment with NZDOC at her Instagram account, @south_atlantic_detection_dogs.

16 August 2023

*A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.

The GLS logger is visible below the hand holding the foot

Global Location Sensors (GLS) have been attached to 10 female and 10 male chicks of the 33 soon-to-fledge Northern Royal Albatrosses Diomedea sanfordi in the mainland colony at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on New Zealand’s South Island. One of the male chicks is this season’s Royal Cam chick “Manaaki”. Unlike Global Position System (GPS) trackers where live locations are transmitted via satellite in real time, GLS light loggers need to be recovered and downloaded after the juvenile birds return to their natal colony as pre-breeders.

The small size of the GLS logger is obvious when compared to the metal leg band

The Royal Albatross Centre writes “Two great benefits of using GLS data loggers; their tiny size and the fact they can last three years, which means we can see where these birds go during their first few years at sea. GPS loggers are attached to feathers on the birds' back which are moulted within a year of fledging, meaning the tracking device is lost much quicker. This information will help us better understand threats faced by these birds at sea and to advocate for their conservation internationally.”

The GLS logger is attached to the metal leg band with a plastic cable tie

Juvenile foraging grounds will be compared between the two sexes for this globally Endangered and Nationally Vulnerable species that is at risk to longline fishing at sea. All 33 chicks are additionally carrying an alphanumeric band to allow for easy identification once they return (click here).

Information from the Facebook page of the Royal Albatross Centre. Photographs by Kalinka Rexer-Huber.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 15 August 2023

 The Critically Endangered Whenua Hou Diving Petrel Pelecanoides whenuahouensis. The image shows the upper wing with distinctive white scapula and grey-white crescent on side of head. Held by researcher Johannes Fischer on Sealer's Bay beach, Codfish Island / Whenua Hou, New Zealand

Johannes H. Fischer (Aquatic Unit, Department of Conservation, Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa New Zealand) and colleagues have published in the Journal of Applied Ecology on the application of decision analyses to the complexities of seabird conservation management.

The paper’s abstract follows:

1. “Conservation management decisions are challenging due to multiple, competing values (objectives) held by various parties, complex management options (alternatives), potential irreversible consequences, ubiquitous uncertainty and opaque governance structures. These complications are exacerbated when target species are highly mobile, utilise aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and interact with human interests. Even when decisions are made, these challenges may still inhibit management implementation. Decision analyses offer solutions, but are rarely applied in conservation management, especially for highly mobile species across ecosystems.
2. We applied a formal decision analysis for the conservation management of a highly mobile seabird (Kuaka; Whenua Hou Diving Petrel; Pelecanoides whenuahouensis) across ecosystems. Together with Māori (Indigenous Peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand), government staff and industry representatives, we identified seven fundamental objectives and 11 potential alternatives. We predicted consequences of alternatives across objectives using state-of-the-art statistical models, including integrated population models, and expert elicitations hosted through Shiny apps. We then used various decision-analytical tools to weigh trade-offs and identify the preferred alternative.
3. The preferred alternative across objectives consisted of a combination of mitigation of vessel-based light pollution, plant and competition management and inter-island translocations. This alternative was predicted to provide the most effective conservation outcomes across values and ecosystems and was rapidly implemented in a stepwise fashion following this decision analysis.
4. Synthesis and application. We illustrate that decision analyses provide inclusive environments for all participants despite diverse backgrounds and views, enable rational navigation of complex decision landscapes and facilitate transparent identification of preferred management options across all fundamental values, including Māori value systems and industry concerns. Additionally, we show that decision analyses can rapidly bridge the spaces between research and implementation. Therefore, we argue that the application of decision analyses has great potential to improve the field of conservation.”

Reference:

Fischer, J. H., Parker, K. A., Kenup, C. F.,  Davis, T.,  Bull, S.,  Pera-Leask, E.,  Ryan, H.,  Witehira, M.,  Cole, R. A., Taylor, G. A.,  Debski, I., &  Ewen, J. G. 2023.  Decision analysis for seabird recovery: Navigating complexity across ecosystems, balancing competing values and bridging spaces between research and implementation. Journal of Applied Ecology, 60. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14448

14 August 2023

UPDATE - NO RESPITE

Attacks by House Mice on Marion Island's beleagured Wandering Albatross chicks continue, with the latest victim in the Macaroni Bay study colony photographed by island researcher Michelle Risi today.

Scalped! This month's victim, photograph by Michelle Risi, 12 August 2023

A Wandering Albatross chick on Marion Island shows clear signs of being attacked by mice; photograph by Michelle Risi

Marion Island’s seabirds are under attack. Predatory House Mice are ravaging their chicks, and even adults for some species. The Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project aims to rectify this situation and put the island back on the road to recovery. This will be done by a major campaign set to take place in winter 2025 when a fleet of helicopters will spread rodenticide bait over the whole island.

Scalped! A House Mouse feeds at night on the head of a defenceless Wandering Albatross chick on Marion Island in 2015; photograph by Stefan and Janine Schoombie

One of the most iconic seabirds that breeds on the island is the Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans. Marion Island supports no less than a quarter of its world population, making it the most important breeding locality for this globally Vulnerable species. Despite its huge size, especially relative to a diminutive mouse, it is not safe from attacks that have led to severe wounding and eventual death of chicks, literally eaten alive while sitting on their nests. The first attacks on Wanderer chicks on Marion were recorded in 2003. Still photographs and video clips, some made at night, graphically illustrate the conservation problem (click here to access scientific publications on the mouse attacks).

Another view of the wounded chick, showing exposed flesh and bone on its rump; photograph by Michelle Risi

It is not unexpected then, but still worrying, to hear that attacks on Marion’s Wandering Albatross chicks are continuing, with the first observation this year being made on Midwinter’s Day (21 June) by island researchers Michelle Risi and Chris Jones from Nelson Mandela University’s Marine Apex Predator Research Unit. The post-guard chick had a wound on the rump leading to its downy flank becoming blood stained. The chick was in a long-term study colony (one of three on the island) centred above Macaroni Bay on the island’s east coast. Established in the early 1980s, all the nests in the study colonies are staked and mapped. Breeding adults are colour banded and followed through the long breeding season. This season 95 eggs were laid, but currently only 42 chicks remain. Chick mortalities due to mice have regularly reduced breeding success in this study colony, and it seems that the 2023 season will be no exception.

Before the attack: the chick on 6 June in good health; photograph by Michelle Risi

Photographed earlier on 6 June, the same chick then appeared to be in good health. A return visit on 29 June revealed the chick had succumbed and its corpse had likely been scavenged or it had been killed while in a moribund state by giant petrels Macronectes spp. and/or Subantarctic or Brown Skuas Catharacta antarctica. This disappointing outcome confirms the necessity and urgency of eradicating the island’s mice and encourages the MFM Project team to continue to work hard towards achieving this aim in two-year’s time.

With stake M11 marking the nest site as if a grave, all that remained of the chick on 29 June; photograph by Michelle Risi

With thanks to Michelle Risi, Marine Apex Predator Research Unit, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 11 July 2023, updated 12 August 2023

NOTE: First published on the Mouse-Free Marion Project website on 04 July 2023