Tuesday, July 7, 2026

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Room CM.1.26

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Details

Wildlife detection dogs (WDDs) are increasingly recognized as powerful allies in conservation, offering an efficient, non-invasive, and highly sensitive method for locating wildlife, scats, carcasses, and other biological samples across diverse environments. This symposium brings together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to highlight the growing role of detection dogs in ecological monitoring, species conservation, and wildlife management across Europe. The session will open with a review of current evidence on the efficacy and reliability of WDDs in conservation contexts, comparing canine detection performance to conventional survey methods and emphasizing the factors that influence accuracy, such as handler experience, environmental variables, and training protocols. Subsequent presentations will showcase cutting-edge research on the application of WDDs to pressing conservation challenges, from detecting endangered species and invasive organisms to supporting disease surveillance and biodiversity assessments. A substantial portion of the symposium will be dedicated to exploring the future of conservation detection dogs in Europe. Discussion will focus on the urgent need for standardized certification and regulation frameworks that ensure consistent quality, scientific credibility, and ethical practice. Central to this dialogue will be the welfare of detection dogs, as well as the protection of target species and sensitive habitats. Finally, the symposium will identify critical knowledge gaps—ranging from the physiological and behavioral aspects of canine performance, to best practices for integrating detection dogs into multidisciplinary conservation programs—where future research can contribute to advancing both science and policy. By providing a platform for collaboration between scientists and conservation practitioners, this symposium aims to shape a coherent and ethical roadmap for the sustainable and evidence-based use of wildlife detection dogs in Europe’s conservation landscape.

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Speakers and Presentation Titles

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Organiser