Sniffer dog Bracken leads the way in conservation
Tony Henderson reports on a case of dogged devotion to protecting wildlife
Wildlife in the North East owes a debt to a dog with a nose for nature.
Northumbrian Water has enlisted the support of a specially trained sniffer dog to help it protect wildlife across its operational sites.
Labrador Bracken helps environmental teams by sniffing the location of creatures such as hedgehogs and nesting birds, as part of the company’s ecological surveys.
Four-year-old Bracken, who has the important role of ‘Wildlife Search Dog’, is deployed ahead of essential site maintenance activities, such as hedgerow cutting and vegetation clearing.
His sensitive nose helps identify wildlife in the area, making sure it’s protected and safely moved before any work begins.
He’s employed by County Durham-based Barrett Environmental Ltd, a specialist ecological consultancy, which works in partnership with Northumbrian Water to deliver surveys and ensure minimal impact on natural habitats.
Zoe Frogbrook, head of environmental and sustainability at Northumbrian Water, said: “Protecting wildlife and conserving natural habitats is a key priority for us and we’re excited to be working with partners who help us do just that.
“Bracken is detecting the presence of hidden animals, which we might not always be able to spot, and by doing so he’s supporting our efforts to make sure we don’t impact the biodiversity on our sites.”
The dog has been trained by his ecologist owner and handler, Trina Barrett, who lives in County Durham. She holds a certificate as a conservation detection dog handler, and is director of Barrett Environmental Ltd.
Trina has over 30 years of experience as an ecologist and has worked for Barrett Environmental since its inception 20 years ago.
She was awarded an MSc by thesis by Durham University and is a qualified bird ringer in addition to holding Natural England survey licences for bats, great crested newts, barn owl and white-clawed crayfish, and being qualified in tree climbing.
She is a member of Durham Bat Group, the British Trust for Ornithology, the Bat Conservation Trust and Butterfly Conservation.
Trina said: “Bracken is a great work colleague who approaches every task with enthusiasm and genuinely loves what he does. His role isn’t only rewarding but also vital, by helping to detect and protect vulnerable species before any work begins.
“Outside of his role, he’s a much-loved pet who enjoys his walks, playtime, and being part of the family.”