Observations from the Use of Dogs to Undertake Carcass Searches at Wind Facilities in Australia - Wind and Wildlife - page 111

example of large species, such as wedge-tailed eagles Aquila audax or brolgas Grus
rubicunda , it is reasonable to expect that a fast run through of the site with 10-20 m
spacings will detect 100 % of carcasses. In the case where there may be multiple
micro-bat carcasses, a more systematic approach is required with reduced search
intervals and a slower search pace to ensure all the carcasses are detected.
Over 8 years of working with this team, we have identified a number of factors
which can influence detection ability or efficiency.
These include:

• The relationship between the handler and the dog;
• Weatherconditions;
• Topography;
• Vegetation;and
• Target species.

The summary of these influences and the management techniques used to maintain
maximum searcher efficiency is provided in Table 1 . It is important to remember that
these issues and management adaptations are based on field experience and personal
observations. In addition, the ability for the handler to recognise when these factors are
influencing the dogs' performance is paramount to maintaining high detection rates.
The following sections explore the main considerations in Table 1 in more detail.

Table 1 Summary of factors that influence a dog's ability to detect carcasses
Consideration Issue Management

Relationship between
dog and handler

Handler must be able to
monitor the dogs'
performance to determine
interest and likely success on
a day-by-day, and hour-by-
hour basis

Handlers should be appropriately
experienced with dog training and
behaviour

Handler must recognise
when the dog has detected a
scent to enable them to go
off transect

Dog and handler should live together
and have a strong relationship
outside of work
Regularly use road kill to stimulate
success and monitor performance

Windspeed:Still On days with no wind there

is nothing to carry the scent
of the carcass to the dog and
detection will be more
difficult

Identify days as low wind
Reduce the distance between
transects to allow the dog to cover
more ground and be closer to the
source of the scent

Windspeed:
Low-Medium

Ideal scenting conditions for
dogs

Maximum spacing between transects

Windspeed:High Dogs will become

overloaded with scents from
much further then the survey
area

Reduce spacing between transacts on
downwind side of turbine. Allow the
dog freedom to follow scents off
transects

(continued)