SUPPORT THE CONSERVATION DOGS TODAY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. CLICK TO DONATE.

Thanks to caring supporters like you, Milawul (Phillip Island) is a wildlife safehaven and a remarkable team of Conservation Dogs is working every day to keep it that way.

With your help, these highly trained dogs and their dedicated handlers can detect threats long before they reach vulnerable wildlife.

Your generosity keeps these four-legged rangers covering up to 50 km every week, searching coastline and bushland for any sign of foxes or feral cats.

Right now, you can help strengthen this vital program. The Penguin Foundation is raising $40,000 to expand the Conservation Dogs team by investing in the continued education of our dog handler trainee, increasing patrol areas and purchasing essential equipment that keeps our conservation dogs safe while out on the job.

Learn more and donate here.

MEET THE INCREDIBLE DOGS!

Introducing Blaze...

• English Springer Spaniel, 1yr old.

• One year old in training to protect Phillip Island from the threat of foxes as a conservation detection dog

• Eyes light up when he is given the cue to find

• Loves to cool down in the water, a certified splash enthusiast

• Loves a squeeky toy, game of tug or a belly rub as reward

• Goofy snuggle bug in his off time

• Snorts like a pig when he is close to this target scent

Meet Marbee

• Border terrier, 6yrs old.

• Scruffy pocket rocket

• Food motivated

• Determined to push through scrub to follow scent trails.

• Blink and you’ll miss the tiny fur missile speeding through the undergrowth

• Does tiny hops when excited

• Stretches out in the water or mud to cool off after a run

Hello Macey

• English Springer Spaniel, 4yrs old.

• Not afraid to get dirty in the pursuit of a fox scent

• Queen of staying focused and ignoring wildlife and livestock in the field

• Leaps through the tall grass, ears catching more air than a parachute

• Loves a dip in the ocean as a quick cool down break when working.

• Responds to whistle commands like the flick of a switch.

• Is fast and agile.

Last but not least, we have Milly

• Jagdterrier, (German hunting breed) 6yrs old

• Precise and focused but a beast when she locates a feral cat

• Loves a chin rub and is affectionate with her handlers

• Besties with Marbee

• Tree climbing terror in a tiny package

• Ball of muscle

• Queen of tracking feral cats

Let's not forget the humans!

Craig Bester, Senior Vertebrate Pest Officer at the Nature Parks, brings over 40 years of expertise in dog training and handling.

Zoe Kellett is completing a traineeship, combining a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training with mentorship from Craig.