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New Koala Detective Dog Wanted: Must Love Balls
20 May
Summary
- Beloved koala-sniffing dog Bear retired after a decade of service.
- Search is on for an energetic dog with no interest in chasing wildlife.
- Bear helped find over 100 koalas during the devastating Black Summer fires.
A decade-long career dedicated to saving koalas has come to an end with the retirement of 11-year-old detection dog Bear. His departure in March has prompted a nationwide search for a new canine recruit to aid in rescuing these endangered animals from bushfires and floods. Conservation groups, collaborating with the University of the Sunshine Coast and a French canine expert, are seeking an energetic dog, ideally under two years old and medium-sized, who excels at fetching and has no inclination to chase wildlife.
Bear's unique training focused on live koalas, a more challenging task than detecting droppings. His life-saving work, particularly during the Black Summer bushfires where he located over 100 koalas, earned him international acclaim. As koalas face increasing threats from habitat loss and climate-related disasters, these detection dogs, who can 'smell what we can't see,' play an increasingly vital role alongside drones and human spotters. The successful candidate will join a rewarding lifestyle on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, balancing demanding work with the comforts of a pet.
