Trainee Conservation Dog cuts his teeth in the capital
Archived content: This media release was accurate on the date of publication.
Introduction
Wellington has gained two new front-line Department of Conservation rangers – a Pest Detection dog called Flint and his handler, Richard Johnston.Date: 14 December 2017
Flint and Richard started work in mid-October to strengthen DOC’s island biosecurity programme and boost its presence at ferry terminals and marinas.
The DOC-managed Conservation Dogs Programme – supported by Kiwibank – is a squad of canines and their handlers, trained to carry out surveillance of our pest-free islands and mainland sanctuaries. They play a major role in protecting species such as kākāpō, kiwi, whio, pāteke and takahē from predation by sniffing out potential invaders, such as rodents, stoats and even argentine ants.
Richard Johnston and Conservation Dogs Kowhai and Flint
Image: Lee Barry | DOC
Conservations Dogs Flint and Kowhai imitating the famous man statue on the Wellington waterfront
Image: Lee Barry | DOC
Richard says Flint recently had his first big day at work.
“He received his interim certification – kind of like a restricted drivers licence for a pest detection dog – and had his first job checking visitors’ bags destined for Mana island.
“He passed his test with flying colours and will complete his full certification in the next month.”
Flint’s speciality is rats and mice.
“We are still training every day to embed his ability to indicate rodents only and not get distracted by other species.”
Richard is also training another Conservation Dog – five-month old puppy Kowhai; one of four pups which the Kiwibank partnership has funded.
“She’s got a long way to go but will eventually be a mustelid dog, focused on stoats, weasels and ferrets. Together, we’ll be able to help protect Wellington’s pest-free sites – like Mana, Kapiti and Matiu Somes Islands – from potential incursions.”
