Detection and accuracy rates of dogs trained to find scats of San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica)

Abstract

Specially trained detection dogs have been used to locate faeces (scats) for faecal analyses but their effectiveness has not been quantified. We evaluated detection and accuracy rates of dogs trained to find scats of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica). Four dogs found from 0.43 to 5.37 presumptive kit fox scats per km of transect searched in two field sites where kit foxes and coyotes (Canis latrans) but not non-native red foxes (V. vulpes) were present. The unusually low detection rate (0.43 scats per km) by one dog (probably due to excessive panting in hot weather) was still similar to the average scat detection rate of two experienced humans. DNA tests of 1298 scats showed that all dogs were 100% accurate at distinguishing kit fox scats under our field conditions. Because red foxes are sympatric with kit foxes in some areas, we also conducted controlled discrimination experiments to see if trained dogs could distinguish between scats from kit and red foxes. Four dogs were 100% accurate at choosing a kit fox scat when red fox scats were present (n = 64 trials), but were less accurate at ignoring red fox scats in trials where a kit fox scat was absent.

Identifying suitable detection dogs

“…A strong bond is typically formed, which is of great importance when working in the field (Rebmann et al, 2000;Abney, 2009). Personality conflicts will severely compromise the dog and handler team's working ability and success (Smith et al, 2003). A dog handler must be able to trust their dog's indications (a trained behaviour which demonstrates a target sample has been located) and similarly the dog must have trust in their handler's commands.…”

Dogs can detect scat samples more efficiently than humans: an experiment in a continuous Atlantic Forest remnant

“…The use of detection dogs to locate scats has proved to be a flexible and adaptable survey technique. Scat-detection dogs have been used to locate fecal samples from whales in the North Atlantic (ROLLAND et al 2006) and to locate fecal samples from a variety of carnivore species in various North American ecosystems (SMITH et al 2003, WASSER et al 2004, SMITH et al 2005, HARRISON 2006, LONG et al 2007, REED et al 2011. Scat-detection dogs have also been used in the Cerrado and Amazon biomes of Brazil to locate carnivore and xenarthran fecal samples, (MICHALSKI et al 2011, VYNNE et al 2011.…”

Maximizing Nonhuman Primate Fecal Sampling in the Republic of Congo

“…Scat detection dogs are another option. Their use is not yet widespread in the tropics but they have been successfully used in temperate regions to collect copious quantities of carnivore scat (Smith et al, 2003;Wasser et al, 2004;Michalski et al, 2011). Long et al (2007) concluded that human searchers found less than one-tenth of the black bear, fisher, and bobcat scat located by detection dogs.…”

“…Long et al (2007) concluded that human searchers found less than one-tenth of the black bear, fisher, and bobcat scat located by detection dogs. Scat detection dogs may translate well into tropical settings, as dogs and handlers typically search transect lengths, specific zones, or grid cells, but important considerations include the cost of training the handler and dogs, boarding and transporting dogs, maintaining the health of the dogs, and ensuring the safety of wildlife (Adams et al, 2003;Smith et al, 2003;Wasser et al, 2004;Michalski et al, 2011).…”