In August 2024, during a dog-training demonstration by the Turtle Foundation in Cabo Verde, the effectiveness of trained dogs in combatting turtle poaching was highlighted. The dogs, such as Karetta, assist in detecting poachers during turtle hatching season by following scent trails left behind. Due to strict laws protecting loggerhead turtles established in 1987, poaching has dramatically decreased from 1,256 incidents in 2007 to only 20 in 2024. These trained dogs not only find poachers but can also detect illegally transported turtle meat, further aiding conservation efforts.
The dogs help us to look for turtle poachers, who operate on this beach during hatching season. The illegal hunters usually leave something behind - a piece of clothing, or even a footprint. The dog can smell that evidence and lead law-enforcement officers to the poacher.
In 2024, only 20 were poached, demonstrating the huge impact of our conservation efforts.
I've always loved dogs, I grew up with two of them, but I never realized how smart they are before working as a dog trainer and handler.
Besides sniffing out poachers on the beaches, our dogs can also detect turtle meat, so can be used to identify its illegal transportation or sale.
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