our services

Large and small scale wind farm projects - Fatality surveys

Dogs have consistently demonstrated superior accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness in locating bat and small bird carcasses compared to traditional human visual survey methods. 

Our highly trained detection dogs excel in this specialised task, confidently detecting various parts of bat and bird carcasses, including wing(s) only, skeletal remains, and feather spots.

While our primary focus is on conducting surveys for wind farms, where the need for accurate carcass detection is paramount, our services also extend to assisting with roadside carcass searches with extensive methodologies and risk assessments in place. 

 We offer a cost effective, reliable and efficient solution for post construction monitoring, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and minimising the ecological impact of infrastructure development projects.

 Our Great Crested Newt (GCN) detection dogs undergo rigorous and specialised training using live GCN.

 Paws for Conservation holds a Natural England license permitting us to keep GCN in captivity for up to one year expressly for the purpose of dog training. 

Prior to deployment, our detection dogs underwent comprehensive external testing conducted by AtkinsRealis using wild GCN. The two-day trial assessed the dogs' proficiency and accuracy in detecting GCNs in real-world scenarios. We are proud to report that all our dogs achieved a 100% success rate during these trials, demonstrating their exceptional skill and reliability in GCN detection.

At Paws for Conservation, we prioritise the welfare of both our dogs and the species they are trained to detect. Our stringent training protocols and adherence to regulatory requirements ensure that our detection dogs are not only highly effective but also operate with the utmost ethical standards.

 Water vole latrines, often nestled in hard-to-reach areas along riverbanks, can present a significant challenge for conventional survey methods. The dense vegetation and difficult terrain make accurate and safe surveys laborious and sometimes impractical. This is where our highly trained detection dogs excel.

At Paws for Conservation, our dogs offer a non-invasive and efficient solution to this challenge. By detecting water vole latrines swiftly and accurately, our dogs streamline the survey process, saving time and resources while minimising disturbance to the natural habitat.

Hazel Dormouse detection dogs

 Since 2020, we have been actively engaged in a 'first of its kind' research project focused on utilising detection dogs to locate Hazel dormice. 

Unlike previous attempts where dogs were trained solely on nest material, our approach involves training dogs on the actual odour of dormice.

This innovative method has yielded promising results thus far. Our dogs have demonstrated the ability to accurately identify hibernating hazel dormice while disregarding other small mammals commonly found in the same habitat. This represents a significant advancement in the field of dormouse detection and conservation.

While the project is ongoing, we are excited to share that a scientific paper detailing our findings will be released upon its completion. This paper will offer valuable insights and contribute to furthering our understanding of dormouse ecology and detection methods.

At Paws for Conservation, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of research and innovation in wildlife detection. If you have any ideas for research collaborations or new projects related to wildlife conservation and detection dog work, we would love to hear from you. Please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss potential opportunities for collaboration.

Workshops 

Spend the day with operational conservation detection dogs and their handlers. An insight into the day to day life of these amazing dogs and the work they carry out. 

Demonstrations and Educational talks

We work all around the UK offering educational talks and demonstrations for schools, public events and private events. 

If you would like us to attend an event please contact us for more information

Persistence trials at wind farms are conducted to monitor how long a carcass remains detectable within the search area of a turbine location. The trials are conducted for a set period of time and in varied locations and vegetation. The results are submitted alongside fatality searches to adjust for carcasses that are removed or decomposed before being found. 

What we offer:

• Camera traps using high quality wildlife cameras and all associated equipment and replacement, i.e. batteries
• Manual checks (no camera)
• Provision of carcasses 
• Detailed report upon completion of each trial