Trail Conference

Conservation Dogs Program

Native Turtle Surveys 2024

Using scent detection dogs to monitor rare turtle populations and protect vital habitats across the Lower Hudson Valley

Overview

In 2024, the NYNJTC Conservation Dogs Program deployed detection dog-handler teams to help land managers locate native wood and box turtles across ten properties in the Lower Hudson Valley. This effort enhances turtle monitoring by overcoming the limitations of traditional surveys in dense, difficult terrain.
👉 Read how it started: Conservation Dog Program Protects New York’s Native Turtles

Key Goals

Detect presence/absence of native turtles (wood and box)
Identify reproductive individuals and map habitat use
Support restoration planning and protect sensitive areas
Reduce poaching risk through non-public survey details

Why Dogs?

Detection dogs use scent to locate turtles hidden in vegetation, underground, or in hard-to-reach spots. Research shows dogs are up to 30 times more effective than humans in turtle detection.

Project Highlights

Lead dog: Peat, a black Labrador trained for turtle surveys
Handler: Arden Blumenthal
Survey window: May–July 2024
Sites surveyed: Goosepond, Sojourner Truth, Bear Mountain, Rockefeller Preserve, and more
Training period: April 2024

By the Numbers

10+ sites surveyed across Rockland, Westchester, and Putnam Counties
50+ individual turtle encounters since program launch
3-month field window (May–July 2024)
1 lead dog, Peat, with 30+ hours of turtle search experience
Data shared with: NYS Parks, DEC, and regional land trusts
Training & planning: April 2024
Final reporting: Within 30 days of the last field day

Outcomes

Raised awareness of NY-native turtle conservation with the public

Detected 28 new turtle individuals in 2023; numbers growing in 2024

Peat found a 2-year old wood turtle at a state park where only 1 adult turtle had ever been found by an environmental consultant

Peat also found a juvenile box turtle at a property at which multiple adult box turtles have been found, but the habitat is surrounded by dense suburban landscape, which had caused concerns about recruitment

Improved data for habitat protection and state partner planning