Man’s best research partner
A dog’s ability to smell is believed to be between 1,000 and 10,000 times better than a human's. The right dog can be trained to track anything that emits an odour, whether it’s flora or fauna, on land or even under the sea!
Because they can smell what we can’t see, dogs are used in conservation to track rare animals, detect pest species, and locate threatened native plants.
Sniffing out solutions
Our aim is to find new ways to use detection dogs to protect Australia’s biodiversity and provide immediate benefits to the community like stopping the spread of cane toads, and protecting koala populations. Our work is grounded in research and focused on producing effective results, which is why it’s run as not-for-profit from within a university.
Meet Bear: Saving koalas from bushfires
How detection dogs work to locate injured wildlife
Learn more
Meet Maya: From shelter dog to ecology researcher
The four-legged researcher helping to track koala habitat
Learn more
Donate now
Make a donation via USC's Payment Gateway.
100 percent of your donation will go towards the Detection Dogs for Conservation, and any donations over A$2 are tax deductible.
For more information on donating to this project contact: Kate Evans, Senior Development Manager, USC Development Office.
Give a dog a bone, a home, and a career
The best conservation dogs often make the worst pets. They have boundless energy, need lots of exercise and are more than a little obsessed with the ball – but these ‘flaws’ are exactly why they make the perfect conservation dog. We use the ball as a reward to keep dogs focused and eliminate distractions, so they don’t chase or disrupt other wildlife while they’re out in the field. They love to work and will do anything for their beloved ball!
At Detection Dogs for Conservation, we assess dogs from shelters until we find one with the right temperament to become a conservation dog. With five dogs now successfully trained and working in the field, we have big plans to expand – but we need your help to make this happen.
Your donation will help rescue a dog from a shelter and give him or her a happy working life in conservation, to the benefit of our environment and community.
Supporters





Detection Dogs for Conservation latest news
-
4 Dec
Hollywood star praises USC koala detection dog
A USC detection dog called Bear that is working to find injured and displaced koalas after recent bushfires in Australia has gained the attention of Hollywood heavyweights Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.
-
22 Jan
Zorro on the Coast to learn owl detection skills
A nine-month-old puppy called Zorro has been flown in from Tasmania to the University of the Sunshine Coast this week to learn the art of finding owl vomit.
-
17 May 2018
USC researchers rounding up detection dogs
USC researchers are calling for “canine scientists” to volunteer for a special project aimed at charting the ideal characteristics for detection dogs.
-
12 Oct 2017
USC academics lead establishment of conservation dog network
Two USC academics have been instrumental in establishing an Australian-first network of organisations that use dogs for environmental work.
More
A dog’s ability to smell is believed to be between 1,000 and 10,000 times better than a human's. The right dog can be trained to track anything that emits an odour, whether it’s flora or fauna, on land or even under the sea!
Because they can smell what we can’t see, dogs are used in conservation to track rare animals, detect pest species, and locate threatened native plants.
Sniffing out solutions
Our aim is to find new ways to use detection dogs to protect Australia’s biodiversity and provide immediate benefits to the community like stopping the spread of cane toads, and protecting koala populations. Our work is grounded in research and focused on producing effective results, which is why it’s run as not-for-profit from within a university.

Meet Bear: Saving koalas from bushfires
How detection dogs work to locate injured wildlife
Learn more
Meet Maya: From shelter dog to ecology researcher
The four-legged researcher helping to track koala habitat
Learn moreDonate now
Make a donation via USC's Payment Gateway.
100 percent of your donation will go towards the Detection Dogs for Conservation, and any donations over A$2 are tax deductible.
For more information on donating to this project contact: Kate Evans, Senior Development Manager, USC Development Office.
Give a dog a bone, a home, and a career
The best conservation dogs often make the worst pets. They have boundless energy, need lots of exercise and are more than a little obsessed with the ball – but these ‘flaws’ are exactly why they make the perfect conservation dog. We use the ball as a reward to keep dogs focused and eliminate distractions, so they don’t chase or disrupt other wildlife while they’re out in the field. They love to work and will do anything for their beloved ball!
At Detection Dogs for Conservation, we assess dogs from shelters until we find one with the right temperament to become a conservation dog. With five dogs now successfully trained and working in the field, we have big plans to expand – but we need your help to make this happen.
Your donation will help rescue a dog from a shelter and give him or her a happy working life in conservation, to the benefit of our environment and community.
Supporters
Detection Dogs for Conservation latest news
-
Hollywood star praises USC koala detection dog
A USC detection dog called Bear that is working to find injured and displaced koalas after recent bushfires in Australia has gained the attention of Hollywood heavyweights Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.
-
Zorro on the Coast to learn owl detection skills
A nine-month-old puppy called Zorro has been flown in from Tasmania to the University of the Sunshine Coast this week to learn the art of finding owl vomit.
-
USC researchers rounding up detection dogs
USC researchers are calling for “canine scientists” to volunteer for a special project aimed at charting the ideal characteristics for detection dogs.
-
USC academics lead establishment of conservation dog network
Two USC academics have been instrumental in establishing an Australian-first network of organisations that use dogs for environmental work.