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Scottish working dog named animal of the year for hunting invasive carpet sea squirt
Overview
A six-year-old black labrador named Sgiath has been named animal of the year by a charity for her work hunting down the carpet sea squirt, an invasive marine organism also known as "sea vomit". Working with her owner, marine ecologist Dr Texa Sim in the Scottish Highlands, Sgiath uses her scent-detection skills at low tide to locate the harmful organism, which can smother native species and damage marine infrastructure. Originally trained as a mountain rescue dog, Sgiath is believed to be the UK's first sea squirt-hunting dog and will receive the award at the International Fund for Animal Welfare's annual Animal Action Awards.
Key points
- Sgiath, a six-year-old black labrador from the Scottish Highlands, has been named animal of the year by the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
- She is trained to detect the scent of the carpet sea squirt, an invasive marine organism nicknamed "sea vomit" that harms coastal wildlife and economies.
- The organism, formally known as Didemnum vexillum, is native to Japan, arrived in the UK in 2008, and can smother native species and clog marine infrastructure.
- Sgiath was originally trained as a mountain rescue dog before expanding her skills into marine conservation with her owner, Dr Texa Sim.
- Unlike her active mountain rescue training, Sgiath uses a "passive indication"—such as a freeze stare—to quietly alert Dr Sim when she finds a sea squirt.