07/08/2026
Dogs and a nose for it.
These dogs have a very important conservation job.
Specially trained Boykin spaniels are helping scientists locate threatened ornate box turtles in Illinois, where the species has been declining for decades as prairie habitat has disappeared. With their powerful sense of smell, the dogs can find far more turtles than researchers searching on foot, helping scientists monitor the animals' health and better understand how to protect them.
Researchers say the turtle health project has already tracked thousands of turtles over nearly two decades, providing valuable information about disease, habitat needs and population trends. The findings are helping conservationists improve prairie management and give these threatened turtles a better chance to thrive.
