A lot of dogs have jobs, but there are some that come to mind first. Take police dogs and guard dogs, for example. But what about marine biosecurity dogs?
One Cocker Spaniel, Jinx, has become the UK’s first marine biosecurity dog, the Western Telegraph reports. His role is to protect the seabirds of Wales – in particular, the Pembrokeshire coast in the southwest.
He’s been busy training with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) for the past two years. And now, he’s ready to make a start in sniffing out rats. They’re one of the biggest dangers to seabird colonies, which are already vulnerable.
Marine Biosecurity Dog, Marine Biosecurity Project
Three-year-old Jinx is part of a wider £250,000 project funded by the Welsh Government to improve biosecurity across the country.
Just one pregnant rat can produce a colony of over 300 rats in just eight months. And as rats are so good at hunting, they can quickly eat eggs, chicks, and even adult birds.
Last December, a fishing boat ran aground on the county’s Skomer Island, which is home to 39,000 puffins and 350,000 pairs of Manx shearwater. It caused serious alarm at the time, as had rats been on the boat they could have devastated the island’s avian population.
Political Backing
Julie James, Minister for Climate Change, met Jinx yesterday (Feb. 8). “I was delighted to meet Jinx who I have no doubt will deliver the mission we have tasked him with – to protect Wales’ seabirds from rats and other mammalian predators,” she said.
“Thanks to the intense training he completed with his expert handler, Greg, we are confident that the biosecurity on our islands will be greatly improved under his service.
“Protecting our seabirds and balancing our precious ecosystems is all of our responsibility. As we face the climate and nature emergencies.
“We can help Jinx do his job properly by being vigilant to critters on our clothes, invasive species in our rucksacks, or mammalian hunters who hitchhike a lift when we visit these islands.
“Please report anything suspicious immediately. Thank you to RSPB for your vital work in protecting our seabirds and all our partners who have worked together to make Jinx the UK’s first biosecurity dog.”
