Accession Number:

ADA551876

Title:

Validation and Development of a Certification Program for Using K9s to Survey Desert Tortoises

Descriptive Note:

Cost and Performance rept.

Corporate Author:

DESERT RESEARCH INST RENO NV

Personal Author(s):

• Harmon, Russell S.
• Cablk, Mary
• Nussear, Ken
• Esque, Todd

Report Date:

2011-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

90.0

Abstract:

This project demonstrated the ability of Desert Tortoise Canine DTK9 teams to locate Mojave Desert tortoises in the field at natural population densities, with an emphasis on finding small size classes. DTK9s were shown to be successful at this task. DTK9 team technology was developed to assist Department of Defense DoD installations and other agencies to maintain environmental compliance and support delisting efforts for the federal and state listed Mojave Desert tortoise Gopherus agassizii. Delisting the desert tortoise would alleviate conflict between training and testing on installations and environmental regulations. Delisting would reduce costs associated with regulatory compliance such as surveying, monitoring, translocation, and Head Start programs.

Descriptors:

• *DOGS
• *REPTILES
• *SURVEYS
• DETECTION
• HABITATS
• MILITARY FACILITIES
• POPULATION

Subject Categories:

• Ecology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE