Kiwi dogs in training

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 419, 14 January 1992, Page 9

Kiwi dogs in training

Labrador puppies Lisa and Olly are only 11weeks old but have already started training in how to sniff out kiwi for conservation workers. Department of Conservation officers Rogan Colbourne (left), who bred the puppies, and Hugh Robertson, co-or-dinator of the Kiwi Recovery Programme, say they couldn't do the job of protecting our threatened national symbol without the sensitive noses of 'kiwi dogs'. The puppies' mother, Tess, has been a kiwi

dog for seven years and is soon to retire. Another of her daughters, 18-month-old Lucy, is already seeking out kiwi in rugged bush all over the country. "One dog can find maybe 20 kiwi burrows in a week, when it could take 20 people a year to locate as many," says Mr Colbourne. DoC has to find, count and monitor as many kiwi populations as possible before it can put into action the recommendations of the Kiwi Recovery Plan. The Programme is a joint effort between DoC, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society and the Bank of New Zealand. Dr Robertson says the time which can be saved by using kiwi dogs in this initial research period will be crucial to the kiwi's survival. Puppies begin kiwi training by learning basic obedience commands such as "stay", "leave" and "heel". At the age of about six months they are introduced to the smell of kiwi feathers. "Kiwi have a very distinctive scent and the dogs pick it up very quickly. We train them to find kiwi by making a big fuss when they locate the feathers and give them a biscuit as a reward," says Mr Col-

bourne. The most important rule for the puppies to learn is not to touch the feathers, or, in future, the kiwi. They have to pass this test before they are certified by the Department to work in the field. Once the dogs are working, they always wear a muzzle in case they go to pick up the bird, but Mr Colbourne says they know not to try. Learning rewarded "If they pick up the feathers and try to bring them back to us when they're in training we simply ignore them and the dog doesn't get a reward. They soon learn that we're happy when they find the birds, but not when they touch them." While these dogs are learning how to help save kiwi, steps are being taken to reduce the risk posed by stray pet and hunting dogs. Dr Robertson said one stray dog was responsible for killing about 500 kiwi in the Waitangi State Forest in 1987, and more kiwi appear to have been killed this way in recent months. Conservation officers are currently doorknocking and distributing pamphlets to dog-owners and hunters Turnpage 5

Kiwi dogs

From page 9 to encourage them to restrain their dogs from running loose in the bush. In conjunction with the initial research period, immediate action is being taken to save the most endangered kiwi species, the little spotted kiwi, from extinction. It used to be common throughout New Zealand with the other two species, the great

spotted and the brown kiwi, but is now exiled to off-shore islands. The largest population of little spotted kiwi is on Kapiti Island, where about 1,000 are thought to exist. Lisa and Olly will play an important part in the success of the Kiwi Recovery Programme. Dr Robertson says Labradors are ideal for kiwi work because they are a gentle breed.