Wheels, Walks, and Wagging Tails: Various Strategies for Monitoring Cheetahs with Detection Dogs

Article Summary: Assessing two detection dog based sampling strategies targeting cheetah scat in diverse environments of central-east Namibia
Research Authors: Tim Hofmann, Stijn Verschueren, Niko Balkenhol, Hafeni Hamalwa, Stephan Neumann, Laurie Marker, Anne Schmidt-Küntzel

Monitoring elusive species like the cheetah has always been a challenge, but a new study led by researchers at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) highlights a groundbreaking solution: scat detection dogs. This innovative approach, combining walking transects and vehicular surveys, provides a powerful tool to improve cheetah monitoring across diverse environments.

The study, conducted in central-east Namibia, utilized a trained detection dog to locate cheetah scat and marking sites in habitats ranging from freehold farmlands to communal conservancies. Walking transects, where the dog team searched on foot, proved most effective, yielding higher detection rates for both random scat and marking sites. Vehicular surveys, though less sensitive, offered a time-efficient option, covering larger areas and identifying conspicuous marking sites.

This complementary strategy successfully detected cheetah presence in all study areas, even in regions with suspected low population densities. Importantly, the research found that walking transects were crucial for locating random scat, particularly in areas with fewer obvious marking sites. Meanwhile, vehicular surveys allowed for broader coverage when a reliable road network was available. By combining these methods, the team demonstrated that detection dogs are a minimally invasive and adaptable tool for cheetah conservation. This scalable approach holds promise not only for cheetahs but for other wide-ranging species facing similar monitoring challenges.

The findings published in Journal Namibia Scientific Society / Volume 71 – 2024 highlight the importance of tailoring survey methods to the unique conditions of each habitat, ensuring the best results while minimizing disruption to wildlife. To learn more about this innovative research and its potential impact on cheetah conservation, explore the full paper linked below and view the accompanying infographic.