Scottish Labrador named animal of the year for hunting invasive sea squirt
Sgiath, a six-year-old black Labrador from the Scottish Highlands, won IFAW's animal of the year award on Oct 15 for hunting invasive carpet sea squirts.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Sgiath, a six-year-old black Labrador, won the animal of the year award from IFAW
- The working dog teams up with Dr Texa Sim to hunt Didemnum vexillum, an invasive marine organism
- Known as "sea vomit", the organism harms coastal wildlife, aquaculture, and marine economies
- Sgiath is also a trained mountain rescue dog alongside her marine conservation duties
Conservationists have praised the remarkable contribution of a black Labrador from the Scottish Highlands named Sgiath, who has been honored as animal of the year by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
Sgiath is believed to be the United Kingdom's first sea squirt-hunting dog. She specializes in tracking down Didemnum vexillum, commonly known as the carpet sea squirt and nicknamed "sea vomit" due to its slimy appearance that blends seamlessly among seaweed and marine structures.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Working alongside her owner, marine ecologist Dr Texa Sim based near Glencoe, Sgiath sniffs out hundreds of colonies during low tide. If left unchecked, these invasive organisms can smother and kill native marine species.
Initially trained as a mountain rescue dog since puppyhood, Sgiath demonstrated such exceptional tracking skills that Dr Sim wondered if her abilities could be transferred to marine conservation work after recognizing the scent of the carpet sea squirt.
"No one had really explored whether dogs could help tackle this problem in the marine environment. It began as a proof-of-concept project and has exceeded every expectation I had."
Dr Texa Sim
The spread of invasive biofouling species like Didemnum vexillum presents a silent yet severe threat to global marine ecosystems. Lacking natural predators in new habitats, these organisms rapidly outcompete native wildlife for vital nutrients and oxygen. Employing specialized detection dogs offers an innovative, non-invasive early-detection method that significantly reduces the economic and environmental burden of marine invasions before widespread damage occurs.
According to Dr Martyn Kurr, a marine biologist from Bangor University, the carpet sea squirt originated in Japan and arrived on the shores of southern England and Wales back in 2008.
The organism reproduces rapidly during warmer summer months, raising concerns among scientists that warming seas could accelerate its geographical spread. These invasive creatures clog aquaculture pens, infrastructure, and boat propellers, costing millions of pounds annually across Europe for control and cleanup efforts.
The official award presentation takes place at IFAW's 26th annual Animal Action Awards ceremony on Thursday, October 15. Alongside Sgiath, Dr Sim also owns a younger Labrador named Uisage, with both dogs driven by treats and play to perform their demanding jobs.
Source: BBC Science & Environment
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