Meet Eddy –Australia’s latest young eco-warrior
March 6, 2023
Eddy the recognition buddy!
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Zoos Victoria
Full of energy, intelligent and eager to learn, he should be a great asset for the protection of the country’s biodiversity.
Eddy, a six-month-old Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla, is the first pup to join Zoo Victoria’s Wildlife Detection Dog Squad, a crack dog unit based at the Healesville Sanctuary, about 50km north-east of Melbourne’s CBD.
He is also the first of his kind to join the team, which includes a Kelpie cross named Kip, Lagotto Romagnolo Daisy, Border Collie Finn and Labrador Moss.
Specifically, the unit’s role is to monitor some of Zoo Victoria’s 27 local Priority Threatened species, including the Baw Baw Frog and the Common Wanderer. (see zoo.org.au/fighting-extinction for a full list)
Those who know Eddy best say he still needs a bit of mental and emotional development before he will be ready to step up and perform as part of Elite Zoo Victoria’s Wildlife Detection Dog Squad.
“He will probably mature for about 12 months before we have any expectations of him,” confirms Chris Hartnett, Endangered Species Program Coordinator, Zoos Victoria.
But once he’s grown up and has completed his full education, he’s expected to play a big role in wildlife conservation in Victoria.
personality counts
First piloted in 2017, the Wildlife Detection Dog Squad is now a vital part of monitoring rare wild populations of endangered native animals.
The way these dogs work is that they are given the scent of a species, often from the droppings or nesting material of animals in conservation programs, and then are sent to an environment where their handler is looking for that species.
“What we’re looking for is variety in our dogs on the team because we work in different environments,” explains Chris.
Eddy comes from a breed with a genetic background that would make him particularly good for working in grassland environments.
“But he’ll have long legs and big ears and all sorts of qualities that will help him work in different environments.
“We use some of the dogs’ innate traits, but the intense training means we get the best out of them for our application, which is designed to protect endangered species.”
Personality is ultimately the most important thing for these dogs and Eddy had so far shown that he had what it takes.
“It’s about the work ethic, the dog’s desire to work, their energy and overall fitness, and that personality type where they’re interested but not too interested so they don’t chase after anything that moves,” says Chris.
She adds that the ability to develop a relationship with a handler is important, and Eddy’s breed is known for that.
Eddy probably won’t be ready for field work for a year or so.
But in the Coranderrk scrubland bordering the Healesville Sanctuary, which is on Wurundjeri land, he is already being ushered in.