Training of Conservation Detection Dogs to Locate Kincaid’s Lupine (Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidii)

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Abstract:

The USFWS is currently preparing a draft recovery plan for four threatened and endangered prairie species in western Oregon and southwest Washington (USFWS 2006). One of the most important conservation actions identified in the plan is evaluating the status of extant populations for each prairie species. The success of trained dogs in a wide range of conservation detection applications during the last decade suggests that they also may be able to perform reconnaissance searches for rare species of prairie plants, potentially providing valuable assistance to botanists and conservationists engaged in the recovery effort. In this study, we trained several dogs to recognize the odor of Kincaid’s lupine (Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidii), find Kincaid’s lupine plants in prairie-type habitats, and to alert a handler to locations of target plants. In the summer of 2008, we conducted trials designed to simulate actual rare plant surveys and measure detection accuracy and other performance measures of trained dogs. Three detection dogs were subjected to a to a combined total of 378 trials. The dogs committed a total of 6 errors during the course of the trials (mean error frequency = 1.6%). Observations during the trials suggest that target plants missed on plots and false alerts resulted from transitory miscommunications between dog and handler, manipulative behaviors by the dog to solicit a reward, or failure of the handler to direct the dog to completely search the transect. We estimated that dogs were able to locate Kincaid’s lupine plants up to 15 m from the point they first recognized and oriented toward the scent source. Average search speed by dog/handler teams was 48 m2/min. Given the capabilities that the detection dogs demonstrated during our study, we believe they may offer valuable assistance to botanists conducting reconnaissance surveys for rare plants.

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Reference Code: U08VES01IDUS <br>

Full Citation: David G. Vesely. 2008. Training of Conservation Detection Dogs to Locate Kincaid’s Lupine (Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidii), Final Report. Prepared for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Oregon State Office by Oregon Wildlife Institute, Corvallis, Oregon. 22 pp. <br>

Location: ELECTRONIC FILE - BOTANY: OTHER