An unusual job advert has been posted in Australia by the animal welfare charity IFAW, in collaboration with the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The advert, posted on 20 May 2024, is seeking the next koala detection and rescue dog.
A heroic legacy
The mission is of the utmost importance. The dog will need to roam the Australian bush, often in the aftermath of fierce bushfires or other climate-related disasters, to sniff out koalas that are injured, dehydrated, or trapped at the top of charred trees.
The successful candidate will have big paws to fill, following in the footsteps of Bear. This search dog retired after ten years of loyal service with a heroic record: he located and saved over 100 koalas, particularly during the devastating 'Black Summer' bushfires of 2019-2020.
"Energetic, gentle, and medium-sized"
The charity has published a very detailed job description to find the perfect candidate. Contrary to what you might think, perfect obedience isn't the most important criterion.
The dog's build and temperament are also carefully scrutinised. It must be of a medium size: "Not too small to struggle in the bush, but not too big to be carried if necessary".
Its personality must be impeccable. The dog needs to have a particularly gentle temperament, able to detect the scent of koalas without ever trying to attack or frighten them when it finds them.
The selection process has already begun. Faced with the urgent need to protect a species increasingly threatened by climate change and urbanisation, IFAW is meticulously reviewing all applications.
Bear's successor will then undergo intensive training with the "Detection Dogs for Conservation" programme. This will teach them to ignore the smells of smoke and ash, allowing them to focus solely on finding surviving koalas.