Dog sniffs out bumblebees to help with conservation in Summit County

Darwin the “bee dog” is pictured in close proximity to Hoosier Ridge Saturday, July 10. (Provided by Jacqueline Staab)

Jacqueline Staab observed a way to mix her two passions in her conservation investigate initiatives: bees and canine.

Staab’s pet dog Darwin was experienced as a conservation detection pet dog to request out bumblebees and their nests, and Staab explained he’s the only conservation pet dog in the state that specializes in bees. The investigate Staab and Darwin do with each other is for her master’s in evolutionary ecology.

For the past 4 or 5 decades, Staab has been coming to Summit County on her have to investigate bees, and this 12 months is the initial she’s experienced Darwin alongside for the ride. The duo specializes in alpine bumblebees, earning Summit County an interesting investigate spot.

Darwin sniffs out a bumblebee on Pennsylvania Mountain on July 9, 2021 .(Provided by Jacqueline Staab)

“I could not picture a far better location to do investigate with Darwin,” Staab explained. “Alpine bumblebees are also like a canary in the coal mine for local climate change. … By looking at how they’re reacting out in this article, it can help us forecast long run movements and shifts.”

Even though her investigate period is just kicking off, Staab and Darwin have presently accomplished surveys around Hoosier Pass and during components of the White River National Forest.

Examine the entire story from our associate at summitdaily.com.

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