Alberta expands canine detection program to curb invasive mussels

Alberta's provincial government is using trained conservation dogs to detect invasive freshwater mussels—golden, zebra and quagga—on boats entering the province. Veteran Labrador Hilo and new teammates Jane and Winnie sniff out mussel scent, complementing human inspections at 11 inspection stations across Alberta. The program began in 2013, with dogs added in 2015, and aims to keep the species from establishing in the province's lakes and rivers.

The dogs were trained in the United States and are rewarded with toys for successful finds. Officials including Minister Grant Hunter, program lead Cindy Sawchuk, and Alberta Invasive Species Council director Megan Evans said mussel infestations threaten aquatic ecosystems, infrastructure and the economy, and that the canine teams strengthen Alberta's leadership in invasive‑species prevention.