Meet the Conservation Canines
This page is dedicated to Moja: The first scat detection dog trained for the Center for Conservation Biology. Moja's career pioneered and proved the scat detection dog concept thus opening the door for successful non-invasive research continuing to this day. Because of Moja's successful career, eleven conservation canines and counting, have currently been rescued from shelters, some of whom faced euthanasia the following day.
Moja served on the grizzly and black bear project in Alberta , Canada , and as program ambassador for many years.  Moja appeared in numerous magazine and newspaper articles and was featured twice on Discover.Canada.  Moja eventually retired, living happily as the beloved pet of our Center director.  Sadly, Moja died of heart failure in the summer of 2006.  However, his legacy lives on.
Rescue

The ideal scat detection dog is extremely energetic with an excessive play drive. They will work happily and eagerly all day long, motivated by the expectation of a ball reward given only upon sample detection. The dogs' fixation with the ball drives them to work 4-6 hours a day in the field.

The obsessive, high-energy personalites of scat detection dogs also make difficult to maintain as family pets. A well-intended home placement often results in the dogs' subsequent return to the shelter facing euthanasia. We rescue these dogs from the pound providing them a rewarding and satisfying career in the field of conservation research.
GATOR

Gator has been working for the Center since 2001, after passing up a promising career in narcotic detection work.  Gator has recently worked on a number of studies including Jasper, Vermont, and Brazil. Gator is a 8 year old Australian Cattle Dog. Partly retired, he is currently working alongside his bud, Heath, on a breakthrough study to match scat samples from different individuals. 

Species trained on:  Black Bear, Grizzly Bear, Fisher, Maned Wolf, Cougar, Jaguar, Wolverine, Orca, Bobcat
ALLI

Alli has been working with the Center since late 2005 where she came from a private owner.  She is a 2 1/2 year old Australian Cattle Dog mix.  Alli is currently working on the matching project where she matches scat samples to individuals.

Species trained on: Maned Wolf, Wolverine, Grizzly Bear
MASON

Mason has been working for the Center since late 2005 where he came to us from the King County Animal Control.  He’s a 2 1/2 year old black Labrador Retriever.  His first job was in Alberta, Canada working on the North American Oil Sands project followed by the Brazilian Cerrado project last summer. In winter 2007, Mason will complete his second project year in Alberta, Canada.

Species trained on: Woodland Caribou, Wolf, Moose, Giant Anteater, Giant Armadillo, Jaguar, Maned Wolf, Puma
FREHLEY

Frehley has been with the Center since late 2005 when he came to us from the Seattle Animal Shelter.  He is a 2 1/2 year old Border Collie and is currently working in our matching program where he matches scat to specific individuals. 

Species trained on: Maned Wolf, Woverine, Grizzly Bear
MARVIN

Marvin has been with the Center since late 2005 where he came to us from Lewis County Animal Shelter.  He is a 2 year old black Labrador Retriever.  His first project was in Alberta, Canada followed by the Brazilian Cerrado, and just last summer the California Fisher Population project.

Species trained on: Woodland Caribou, Wolf, Moose, Giant Anteater, Giant Armadillo, Jaguar, Maned Wolf, Puma

 
ALLY
Ally has been with the Center since late 2005 from the Howling Ridge Animal Rescue in Eastern WA. She is a 2 year old chocolate Labrador mix that started her conservation canine career in Alberta, Canada. Since then, Ally completed a project in the Brazilian Cerrado and in winter 2007 will be returning to Alberta, Canada to complete her second study year with the North American Oil Sands project.

Species trained on: Woodland Caribou, Wolf, Moose, Giant Anteater, Giant Armadillo, Jaguar, Maned Wolf, Puma
MOCHA

Mocha came to us in late 2005 from the King County Department of Corrections.  She is a 2 1/2 year old Doberman/Australian Cattle Dog Mix.  Mocha started her career in California with the California Fisher Population project where she aided in detecting over 600 fisher scat samples in six weeks.

Species trained on: Maned Wolf, Fisher

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TUCKER
Tucker came to the Center in mid-2006 from Snoline Kennels in Arlington, WA where he landed after a short-term career in drug and correctional training. He is a 1 1/2 year old tall black Labrador Retriever who started his career with the Killer Whale project last summer. Tucker is currently training for his first year with the North American Oil Sands project in Alberta, Canada this winter 2007.

Species trained on: Wolverine, Orca
MAXWELL
Maxwell came to the program in mid-2006 from Seattle Pure Breed Rescue (Australian Cattle Dog). He is a 1 1/2 year old Australian Cattle Dog who is currently in scat detection training.

Species trained on: Wolverine
ORION
Orion came to the Center summer 2006 from Olympia animal shelter. He is a 3 year old Labrador Retriever who is currently training for his first project and first year with the North American Oil Sand project in Alberta, Canada.

Species trained on: Wolf