Smell

• Think hunting dogs, herding dogs, police dogs or search and rescue dogs.
• But have you heard of conservation dogs?
• Conservation dogs fall mainly into two categories: guardian dogs and sniffer dogs (also called scent, detection or detector dogs).

The nose that knows

• The film is based on the true story of Maremma dogs, trained to protect little penguins from foxes on Middle Island near Warrnambool in southwest Victoria.
• The penguin population had dwindled to fewer than ten before the Maremma dogs got involved.
• They can be trained to find animals or plants, or “indirect” signs animals have left behind such as poo or feathers.

Sniffer dogs have been trained for various missions such as:
finding rare and endangered species
detecting invasive animals during eradication or containment such as fire ants or snakes
locating pest plants
supporting wildlife surveys by detecting scats (poo), urine, vomit, nests, carcasses and even diseases.
They have worked in extreme conditions on land (including on sub-Antarctic islands) and at sea, and can even detect scent located underground. Sniffer dogs have also trained to recognise individual animals such as tigers by scent.

The ultimate scent detection machine

• A much larger proportion (seven to 40 times larger) of the dog’s brain is dedicated to decoding scent.
• Dogs analyse the air from each of their nostrils independently, detecting tiny variations in scent concentration.
• Besides being the ultimate scent detection machine, dogs are great ambassadors for conservation – melting hearts all the way to Hollywood.

Finding the right candidate for the job

• Trainers use toys and play as a reward, so dogs learn to associate this reward with the target scent.
• It’s so easy that the scent-learning part of the job is usually the quickest.
• And if the dog had a troubled background before being rescued, rehabilitation is the most time-consuming and difficult component of the training.

What type of dog can become a sniffer dog?

• The most important aspect of the association learning process is having the right dog – one with obsessive behaviour.
• And any breed, sex and age of dog can present this personality type.

Read more:
Scientists find burnt, starving koalas weeks after the bushfires

Top jobs for conservation dogs

Meet dogs working in conservation around the world:
detecting orca poo
making and keeping World Heritage-listed islands and Antarctica pristine
wildlife search and rescue
working as guardians
containing fire ants
leading weed eradication on land or water
monitoring wind farms
finding vomit (rejected owl pellets, to be precise)
supporting environmental assessments
helping Tasmanian devils find mates
detecting diseases.
These are just a few of the dogs making a difference in our fight to protect biodiversity. But we have barely scratched the surface of their potential!
Romane H Cristescu works for Detection Dogs for Conservation, at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She is receiving external funding through multiple government-funded, foundation association, not-for-profit group, and research council grants. She is a founding member and current executive of the Australasian Conservation Dogs Network.

• Examples include performing natural behaviours, feeling safe at home and using their full sensory capabilities, including their sense of smell.
• Plants such as catnip, cat thyme and silver vine are potent smelly stimulants that can affect cat minds and moods.

Read more:
Won’t my cat get bored if I keep it inside? Here's how to ensure it's happy

Catnip, cat thyme and silver vine, oh my!

• Owners who are concerned about their cats feeling bored and frustrated might offer them fresh or dried catnip (Nepeta cataria), silver vine (Actinidia polygama), cat thyme (Teucrium marum) or other plant materials such as valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica).
• These last couple could offer an alternative if your cat doesn’t respond to catnip.

Are these treats safe for cats?

• Some plants release chemical compounds to deter insects or to attract predators of insects that might otherwise destroy them.
• Indeed, it has been argued that exposure to nepetalactone leads to an increase in feel-good hormones in cats.
• Read more:
  What actually is catnip and is it safe for my cat?

Is it ethical to alter the minds of our cats?

• Despite some marketing claims that these plants activates the brain’s opioid system, delivering a “natural high” for cats, there is no evidence these substances actually alter the minds of cats in the same way as alcohol or other drugs alter the minds of humans.
• Unlike offering alcohol to a child, though, the evidence suggests our cats are OK when given access to these treats.
• In fact, we harness the power of cats’ sense of smell in other ways by using synthetic feline facial pheromones.

Read more:
Is it unethical to give your cat catnip?

How to make sure your cat has the purr-fect time

Offering a range of smells (olfactory stimulation) is just one way to ensure your cat has a varied and interesting life. Here are some tips:
offer cats choices to interact with treats and toys – don’t force them
rotate the toys and experiences on offer, so every day offers something fresh
offer items that cats can scratch – scratching posts and corrugated cardboard are popular items
if you are concerned your cat has swallowed part of a toy or seems unwell, check in with your vet.
Given the short-lived effects of these plant-based olfactory stimulants on cats, it is important that we optimise their environment, lifestyle and interactions with humans to improve their welfare. We can’t just rely on catnip or silver vine to give our cats a good life indoors – it’s really up to us!

• Anne Quain is on the NSW Committee of the Australian Veterinary Association.
• She is also a committee member of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists Animal Welfare chapter, the European College of Animal Welfare and Behaviour Medicine, and consults to veterinary and animal welfare organisations regarding Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law.

• Last year, Hyundai Mobis developed the 'Smart Cabin Controller,' analyzing a driver's posture, heart rate, and brainwaves to prevent drowsiness, stress, and motion sickness.
• Importantly, this marks the first application of Hyundai Mobis's motion sickness reduction technology in the broader mobility sector beyond conventional vehicles.
• Hyundai Mobis confirmed that this technology can prevent motion sickness by up to 70% and reduce the symptoms by 40%.
• Hyundai Mobis will provide the Marine Corps with an integrated motion sickness reduction solution tailored for harsh environments, combining hardware and software.

• It became a bustling marketplace visited by the FilAm community and non-Filipinos alike who enjoyed shopping for their holiday gifts.
• Elevating the Merkado Kultura experience, guests had the opportunity to step into the immersive Love the Philippines "Experience Rooms."
• Love Fashion, Love the Philippines at the San Francisco Fashion Festival:
  Tourism Attache Soleil Tropicales took the stage at the San Francisco Fashion Festival to present the new Love the Philippines campaign to esteemed guests, inviting them to join the festivities on December 30th.
• Love Adventure, Love the Philippines Motorcycle Ride:
  Thrill-seekers and motorcycle enthusiasts were invited to join the Love Adventure, Love the Philippines Motorcycle Ride across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.