Found only in eastern and southeastern Australia, platypuses are some of the most unusual mammals on earth. They have webbed feet and a duck-like bill, lay eggs, and live in rivers, lakes, and streams. Experts worry that the animals are in danger of becoming extinct because their habitat is declining. But platypuses are difficult to study because they prefer to be active at night and spend most of their time in burrows (地洞) or in the water.
The Healesville Sanctuary, a zoo that specializes in animals native to Australia, has trained dogs to use their keen sense of smell to locate hard-to-find species. The Dog Squad, as the dogs are called, have helped experts find critically endangered creatures. The Dog Squad has been carefully trained not to disturb the animals. Once a dog detects its target, it simply sits and points its nose in the right direction.
Now researchers have trained two dogs, a Labrador retriever named Moss and a Kelpie mix named Pip, to find out platypuses. Since platypuses spend so much time in water, the dogs have learned to ride a paddleboard.
Wearing safety vests, the dogs excel at their job. Handlers say the biggest challenge was keeping the dogs calm and balanced on the water. The dogs now silently inform the team when platypuses are nearby, taking care not to scare the creatures away. They have even discovered the entrances to platypus burrows that humans were previously unable to access.
Scientists say this new way of tracking platypuses with the use of paddleboards has been a "game changer" for research. By figuring out where and how the platypuses live, experts can better understand how to protect these rare egg-laying mammals. "Platypus is such a unique species," said La Toya Jamieson, one of the wildlife detection dog officers. "It's so critical that we protect not only them but also their environment."