Reid, the biosecurity detection dog, who patrols the Scottish islandsHear about the important work of Reid, an English springer spaniel who works as a rodent detection dog in the Scottish islands.
Conservationist and handler Rachel Cripps talks to presenter Kate Fairweather about Reid's work, visiting nearly 40 islands during the course of the year, in all weathers, searching for evidence of rat incursions.
Thanks to Sophie at RSPB for introducing Reid and Rachel to the show. Biosecurity for Scotland is funded by NRF, and is a partnership of RSPB Scotland, NTS and NatureScot.
Biosecurity is the practice of protecting places from the threats to wildlife posed by
introducing 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:
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.
