DE
—
EN
—
IT
In April 2024, we started working with the two district foresters Antonin Hugentobler (Scuol Forestry Office) and Mario Lucchinetti (Bregaglia Forestry Office). Their idea of developing a training program for bark beetle detection dogs convinced us right from the start.
Under the expert guidance of Marie-Sarah Beuchat, trainer at Artenspürhunde Schweiz, the project was driven forward with great commitment - and has achieved amazing things within a year.
Today, one year later, the initiators can point to their first successes: They have founded the "Bark Beetle Detection Dogs Graubünden" association based in Scuol, gained several dog handlers for the association and recruited new dogs for training. The team currently comprises six dog handlers and six dogs that are currently undergoing training.
On March 26, 2024, we were able to take part in the bark beetle detection dog meeting. During a live demonstration, we were able to experience at first hand how the dogs specifically search for beetle infestation - and find what they are looking for. Behind these successes is a lot of patience, perseverance and extensive training.
The performance and perseverance of the association have fully convinced us as the Pignaverde Foundation. Their commitment embodies the basic idea of our foundation - the protection and promotion of the protection forest. As a token of our appreciation, we symbolically presented the association with a donation cheque for CHF 9,000.00 at the meeting.
And it continues: the Pignaverde Foundation will continue to support the association in a follow-up project, "Detection Dogs II". Because one thing is clear - early detection means effective protection. It's great that it works!
