Borer on the nose
From the Summer 2007 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
One of the labradors in training learning to sniff out the European house borer. Photo courtesy of Hanrob Pty Ltd.
Timber from Forests NSW Monaro pine plantations is being used to help train dogs to sniff out the European house borer in pine timber.
The borer is currently infesting softwood pine plantations in the Perth metropolitan area in Western Australia.
The Western Australian Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries has engaged Hanrob Pty Ltd (International Dog Academy) to train the dogs and han-dlers to detect the borer.
This unique program is nationally endorsed and has financial input from states including NSW. The purpose of this program is to identify suitable means of detecting and subsequently eradicating the European house borer.
Hanrob’s managing director, Andrew Biggs, said the two labradors chosen for the job were undergoing their initial training at Hanrob’s training facility at Heath-cote in southern Sydney.
“Our company will be conducting the first five weeks of the 13-week training program in Sydney before the dogs travel to Western Australia to be matched with their handler and complete their training to commence operational life in the field,” he said.
Forests NSW acting regional manager, Mark Chaplin, said Forests NSW Monaro region had supplied Hanrob with approximately fifteen 1.5 metre by 40 milli-metre pieces of seasoned timber from the forest floor, which did not contain borer holes from other species.
“It has been a fascinating program for our staff to be involved in and one that will greatly benefit the softwood timber industry as a whole,” he said.
Sarah Chester Public Affairs & Media, Albury
