AssetID: 53225697
Headline: RAW VIDEO: North York Moors Sniffer Dog Helps Detect Endangered Water Voles
Caption: A specially-trained dog has been brought in to help sniff out endangered water voles as part of efforts to monitor their population. Reid, a springer spaniel, and his handler, Rachel Cripps, have been looking for the animals in the North York Moors National Park. In 2022, evidence of water voles was only uncovered at five out of the 23 designated sites across the park. However, the park's management team is optimistic that Reid will contribute to a more precise and comprehensive population assessment. "Detection dogs can be an extremely effective tool for finding evidence of water voles, especially in thick vegetation and hard-to-reach areas. They can also provide increased accuracy to surveys, covering areas with low-density populations quickly." explains the park. Reid "has boundless energy and will work all day without a second thought, tackling dense and difficult habitat with ease," a spokesperson said. Volunteers have been monitoring the water vole population in the national park since 1999, with numbers decreasing since surveys began. The organisation aims to leverage the improved data obtained through Reid's efforts to fine-tune their conservation strategies and ultimately boost the water vole population in the years to come. It is speculated that extended periods of dry weather and overgrown habitats may have contributed to the decline in water vole numbers. However, the park authorities also noted that their primary predator, the American mink, has not been detected at any of the water vole sites. A comprehensive report detailing the findings from Reid's survey is scheduled for publication at the conclusion of 2023.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story
PersonInImage: Reid