Australia's most renowned koala-sniffing dog, Bear, who dedicated a decade to rescuing endangered koalas from bushfires and floods, has officially retired. The 11-year-old Australian koolie hung up his iconic red boots in March, leaving conservationists actively searching for a successor capable of filling the void left by human spotters and infrared detection technologies.
The Search for a New Canine Hero
The ideal candidate for this crucial role must be energetic, possess an obsessive love for fetching balls, and show no interest whatsoever in chasing wildlife. Josey Sharrad, head of programs for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Oceania, explained that such dogs often do not make ideal family pets. However, Bear was born to be a detection dog.
Bear faced multiple rehomings before finding his calling with trainers a decade ago. Sharrad recalled that Bear once ate the walls of his Gold Coast apartment, but his intense focus made him perfect for the demanding conservation work. During the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires of 2019, Bear helped locate over 100 koalas, many requiring urgent veterinary care. His red boots and life-saving efforts earned him international fame, with admirers including Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Training the Next Generation
Conservation groups are now collaborating with the University of the Sunshine Coast and French canine expert Frederic Chappee to train Bear's successor. Chappee, who spent years leading canine units in the French army and later trained anti-poaching dogs in Africa and Indonesia, outlined the requirements: the new recruit should be medium-sized, under two years old, and comfortable navigating dense bush.
Unlike other koala detection dogs trained to sniff out droppings, Bear was trained on the scent of live koalas, often perched high in trees. Sharrad noted that this is a tougher task than finding faeces. The new dog will work alongside drones and human spotters, especially after bushfires, floods, and cyclones.
Koalas Endangered and Climate Disasters
Koalas were listed as endangered along much of Australia's east coast following catastrophic habitat loss during the Black Summer fires. With increasingly frequent and devastating climate disasters, dogs play a vital role in conservation. Sharrad emphasised that dogs can smell what humans cannot see.
The work is demanding with long hours, but the lifestyle on Queensland's Sunshine Coast offers perks. Sharrad remarked that detection dogs enjoy the best of both worlds: working during the day and living as pets the rest of the time.
