invasive species surveys
fox Vulpes vulpes
Released into Australia in the late 1800's the wily fox soon established itself in most ecosystems outside of the tropics and very arid regions. Fox tend to leave a distinctive scent signature due their habit of territorial marking using urine spray and scat. Halo has been trained to find these markers as well as tracking animals back to dens. This is particularity relevant during breeding season. Good data on active dens allows land managers to effectively manage pests. Halo is most effective in finding foxes in areas where they are at low densities or in challenging terrain. While every survey is unique, fox surveys generally start from evidence such as tracks or a sighting and focus on areas preferred by foxes such a edge of woodlands, along roads and creeks and where preferred prey is abundant. Fox surveys are generally linear in nature with the objective to find a scent signature and track back to point of entry into a property or active den.
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feral cats felis catusFeral cats have been implicated in the extinction of a number of Australia's smaller native animals and birds. Brought over as pets with the first fleets and purposefully introduced to reduce rodent numbers, cats have gone feral colonizing most Australian ecosystems including very arid regions. The nocturnal and illusive nature of feral cats makes managing populations difficult. Scent detection dogs are trained to find the cat's scat in the first instance. This is often the only early indicated that a feral cat is in the area. Once presence is established surveys will focus on tracking animals. Surveys generally start within an area of sighting or within landscapes utilized by prey animals and work outwards from there. Tracked during the day, cats are often found in hollows and holes when they are rest. Understanding where the cats are and how they utilize the landscape from a picture developed by the dog tracking scent allows land managers to develop efficient and effective management responses.
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