Conservationists in Hawaii are enlisting specially trained dogs to help them sniff out invasive weeds. The Honolulu Civil Beat reports about a new organization, Conservation Dogs of Hawaii (CDH), and its unique strategy to cull the growth of invasive species.
A Novel Solution to a Growing Problem
Kyoko Johnson is a certified dog trainer specializing in ‘ecological scent detection.’ Born in Tokyo, she’s lived in Hawaii for almost two decades. Johnson founded the Honolulu-based nonprofit in 2016. Initially, she wanted to train dogs to detect cancer. Instead, she pivoted and began training dogs to detect invasive weeds and animals.
Johnson currently works with 9 dogs and their parents, training them to sniff out Devil’s weed. The plant grows aggressively in Hawaii and can reach up to 15 feet in height. The plant is a concern not only because it’s crowding out native flora, but it also has serious effects that threaten local communities. First, the plant contains a substance making it highly flammable. And second, that same substance makes the plant toxic to livestock.
Devil’s weed was first detected on the Hawaiian islands back in 2011. Supposedly, it likely came by military carriers from Guam—although no one can say for sure—and has since propagated around the island of Oahu, spreading to the Big Island in 2020.
On the Hunt
Johnson explains that the training process not only requires specific breeds but also certain temperaments to handle the nature of the work. “Even though many dogs have a good sense of smell,” she says, “they lack some of the primary traits for this type of work, including physical endurance, confidence, work ethic, and good social skills.”
Johnson uses classical conditioning to train the dogs to associate the weed with a reward. While some of the dogs prefer high-quality snacks like chicken or steak, others look forward to favorite toys like frisbees.
Qana, a German Shepherd mix, is one of CDH’s senior sniffers. Together with her parent, Roberta Bitzer, they work in tandem scouring the countryside for shrubs of Devil’s weed. Qana has learned to spot the weed and let her dog parent know by pointing with her nose and sitting until Bitzer joins her. However, Bitzer says she gets so excited about her treat that she can barely stay still.
Qana and Bitzer have also worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Recently, Bitzer became the canine lead for the department’s Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Team. She and Qana work with other dogs to find the beetle’s breeding grounds.
Conservation Work Is Never Finished
Johnson is proud of her accomplishments in Hawaii. She says she didn’t realize that dogs and their extraordinary senses aren’t utilized more often in conservation work. Among other things, she hopes to continue building a network of dogs and people committed to conserving natural spaces.
