Detective Dogs: How Working Dogs Sniff out Invasive Species

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Holiday House

Just the Series: Books for a Better Earth

Series and Publisher: Books for a Better Earth

Annotation: A lively introduction to some of North America's most troublesome invasive species—and to the industrious dogs and handl... more

Pre-Order Now (Available: 05/06/25)

Reviews: 1

Catalog Number: #394130

Format: Publisher's Hardcover

Publisher: Holiday House

Edition Date: 2024 Release Date: 05/06/25

New Title: Yes

ISBN: 0-8234-5564-5

ISBN 13: 978-0-8234-5564-5

Dewey: 636

Language: English

Reviews:

ALA Booklist (Thu Oct 31 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

This detailed, informative look at working dogs focuses on how these animals and their handlers can help prevent invasive species from taking over vulnerable habitats. Stevens highlights three projects where dogs help conservationists: in Wyoming, dogs help find aggressive plants taking over river islands; in Alberta and Manitoba, a team of dogs hunts for zebra mussels; and in upstate New York, dogs seek out egg masses from invasive spotted lanternflies. In day-in-the-life style chapters, readers follow along as the dog-and-handler teams encounter challenges (a moose, an overwhelmingly shell-covered lakeshore, and, for one pup, a lost ball) and make valuable discoveries. The dogs come through with distinct personalities, thanks to Stevens' engaging descriptions and labeled photos of the dogs wearing their safety gear and sometimes playing. Interspersed sections offer detailed context about invasive species, dog behavior and biology, and the important work of conservationists, as well as specific types of behaviors trainers look for in dogs that might be well-suited to this kind of work. Perfect for dog-lovers who are drawn to the Scientists in the Field series.

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ALA Booklist (Thu Oct 31 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Reading Level: 4.0

Interest Level: 4-7

A lively introduction to some of North America's most troublesome invasive species—and to the industrious dogs and handlers working to stop their spread!

Meet Fenton and Frost; Seuss and Deisel; and Hilo, Fagen, and Dia. These intrepid environmental detectives are on the frontlines of the fight to stop the spread of invasive species—and all of them are dogs!

Pervasive and often difficult to locate, invasive species, and the economic and environmental harm they cause, have posed a continued challenge to scientists worldwide who dedicate their time to ecosystem conservation. Now, environmental scientists are harnessing the amazing olfactory abilities of working dogs to meet this challenge head-on.

Ecologist Alison Pearce Stevens’ engaging and accessible narrative writing showcases three ongoing conservation projects that use working dogs to tackle serious invaders in the U.S. and Canada. Readers will learn more about the threats posed by these species, and about the way scientists and handlers work with dogs to locate and eliminate them.

The book features extensive full-color photographs of detective dogs in action, taken onsite by the author as she accompanied conservation groups out into the field in Manitoba, Wyoming, and the Hudson Valley. Informative backmatter includes an index and bibliography.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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