Update: Reid the biosecurity dog in the Scottish islands, six months on

We first heard about the work of Reid the biosecurity dog five months back.  Conservationist and handler Rachel Cripps talks to presenter Kate Fairweather about Reid's work, visiting Scotland's islands during the course of the year, in all weathers, searching for evidence of rat incursions.  Rachel explains the plans for winter, when weather stops all island visits, and how she keeps Reid ticking over and his skills developing.  What is biosecurity? Biosecurity is the practice of protecting places from the threats to wildlife posed by the introduction of new diseases or types of plants or animals that do not naturally occur there. The work of Biosecurity for Scotland focuses on protecting 38 seabird islands around Scotland from invasive non-native mammalian predators, such as rats, mice, mink and stoat. These Scottish islands are remote, home to many globally important colonies of seabirds. Native seabirds, which have not evolved alongside predators and are vulnerable to invasive predators, which eat the eggs, chicks and sometimes adult birds. Thanks to Sophie at RSPB for introducing Reid and Rachel to the show.  NTS and NatureScot.Biosecurity for Scotland  is a partnership of RSPB Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and NatureScot. This project is supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot. Other dogs working in conservation Reid the bio security dog - the original interview from May 2024; Skye, the stoat detection dog working to keep Orkney free from predators; A team of five detection dogs survey the Isle of May for ground nesting storm petrels; Barley the conservation dog and his international projects; Nica, Nettle and Phoenix, the Japanese knotweed detection dogs. Do you work your dog or dogs?  Get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk with suggestions or introductions to working dogs to feature on the show - she's always interested to hear about dogs with interesting jobs. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Om Podcasten

Celebrate the frontline workers of the canine world. Kate Fairweather comes face to face with a diverse cast of working dogs, perfectly equipped with the instincts, intelligence and training to handle everything their jobs throw at them. Humans and dogs have worked together for centuries - and still do today in our communities. Some work with handlers, drawing on their natural hunting, herding, or guarding instincts, or an exceptional sense of smell. Others perform caring roles, providing companionship and support to humans. Podcast of the Year at the Community Radio Awards 2022. Produced by volunteers at Petersfield's Shine Radio. Contact Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 01730 555 500.