Cheetah scat detection
A feasibility study to assess the effectiveness of using dogs in the arid and dusty plains of South Africa. We initiated a full dog section set up and consulted on training, safety and handler techniques.
Our Track Record
Experience
Over 12 years of dedicated detection solutions at your service.
Although Conservation K9 itself is a relatively new consultancy, its pedigree and experience stretch back to 2003. Throughout our longstanding history, we have trained dogs in a variety of detection roles. Take a look at some of our experience.
Notable Projects
Ivory, leopard skin, shark fin, iboga & pangolin scales
A government-mandated project to detect wildlife crime and smuggling in Gabon. This ground breaking project, personally run by Louise, was so successful it became the blueprint for other anti-poaching dog sections across Africa.
Great crested newt detection
A pilot study to detect great crested newt, a lengthy process involving many months of researching the mitigation of this European protected species.
Pine marten scat detection
A long-running project for a major wildlife trust to detect the elusive pine marten after some initial sightings in Wales and Shropshire.
Pest control detection
A project to determine the entry and exit point of mice in a building to help with pest control.
Bat carcass detection
In 2010, Louise became the first person in the UK to train a bat carcass detection dog as part of a project to survey the impact of the bat population at wind turbine sites.
Additional Expertise
In her previous roles, Louise has accrued countless hours of experience in the below topics. She continues to provide these services as part of Specialist K9 Consultancy.
Live body detection
Louise trained and supplied dogs to the UK Border Force for the detection of stowaways in Calais, a project that saved immigration bosses a significant amount of money.
Explosives detection
Working at the Paris air show, the Natural History Museum, Wembley Stadium and the prestigious QE2 arrival in Liverpool, to name just a few.
Cadaver detection
Louise holds the dubious honour of being the first female cadaver dog handler in the UK.
Tobacco and cash detection
Working in association with HMRC and Trading Standards, head-trainer Louise trained the first dogs to be used by a private company on large-scale, UK-wide projects for government agencies. Her work set the standard for similar collaborations throughout the UK.
Drugs detection
Working with North Wales police to conduct drug searches in bars and nightclubs and community intervention via schools' demonstrations and screenings.
Education
DipHE
Animal Behaviour and Welfare, University of Chester
City & Guilds
Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) (6302)
Commendations & Awards
2010, Finalist, Network She Award, Business Woman of the Year
2010, Winner, Flintshire Business Awards, Women Into Business
2011, Winner, Network She Award, North East Wales Business Woman of the Year
2011, Winner, Flintshire Business Awards, Women Into Business
2014, Winner, Flintshire Business Week Awards, Innovation and Creativity Award
Publicity
Interviews
Inside Ecology, “Interview with an Influencer – Louise Wilson, pioneer of canine wildlife detection”
September 2017
Conservation Careers, “Conservation Dogs with Conservation Jobs”
September 2018
Dogs Monthly Magazine, “A Nose for Conservation”
May 2016
BBC, “Have Pine Martens Returned to Shropshire?”
June 2014
The Daily Post, “Dogged”
April 2013
The Chester Chronicle, “Saltney Sniffer Dog Specialist in South Africa Project to Help Dogs Track Big Cats”
July 2013
New Scientist, “The New Canine Detectives”
August 2013
CNN, “Poaching Stinks … And Now Dogs Are Sniffing It Out”
September 2013
The Independent, “Conservation Dogs: Eco Researchers”
February 2011
The Leader, “Bat Dogs on Patrol in Flintshire to Solve Death Mystery”
November 2010
Website Features
K9 Magazine, “Could Your Dog Do What This Dog Does?”
January 2019
Hartpury, “Hedgehog Expert Lucy Helping to Train Dogs to Save Endangered Wildlife”
January 2019
BBC, “Dog sniffs out newts for Wessex Water”
October 2018
Petplan website, “The Conservation Efforts of Luna the Labrador”
November 2013
ptes.org, “Looking for hedgehogs”
December 2018
Petful website, “Conservation Dogs Track Endangered Wildlife”
September 2012
Wind Watch, “Twister the Dog Helps Conservationists with Bat Mystery”
November 2010
Books & Research Mentions
Leerburg, "Pilot study to investigate the use of conservation detection dogs to assist with a geometric tortoise (Psammobates geometricus) survey on Voelvlei Nature Reserve"
Inside Ecology, "A call for guidance on the use of detection dogs for ecological surveys in the UK"
"Dogs of Courage — The Heroism and Heart of Working Dogs Around the World" by Lisa Rogak
Channel 5, "Extraordinary Dogs"
"Hero Dogs — Remarkable Stories of Courage and Devotion" by Janet Menzies with foreword by Ben Fogle
