Turtle-Sniffing Dogs Save Endangered Species on Long Island

A 16-month-old Labrador named April is using her nose to save turtles that have been disappearing from Long Island's forests for decades.

Eastern box turtles are vanishing from New York due to habitat loss, illegal pet trade, and car accidents. But April and her partner Newt, another Lab who has been tracking turtles for five years, are changing that story one sniff at a time.

The dogs work with herpetologist Dr. Kris Hoffmann, who runs wildlife detection team Bark & Code. Together with Group for the East End and New York University biology professor Dr. Ana Thonis, they're surveying eight locations across Long Island to count the elusive reptiles and assess their health.

April can pick up a turtle's scent from 100 yards away in an open field. She's learned to ignore common snapping turtles and only signal when she finds the rare Eastern box turtle, the species researchers need to protect.

When the dogs find a turtle, scientists measure it, weigh it, take photos, and collect a small blood sample. They mark each shell with a harmless notch before returning it safely home. The data helps researchers understand what's threatening the species and how to protect them.

Newt holds the record with 14 turtles found in one day. Over five years across six states, he's discovered thousands of turtles. His reward for each find? His favorite ball.

April is still learning but already proving invaluable. "We expect her to be unstoppable by next year," Hoffmann told Newsday after the team found seven turtles in a single day.

The Ripple Effect

This project isn't just about counting turtles. The research could lead to wildlife tunnels that help turtles cross roads safely and protect their eggs from predators. Box turtles can live past 80 years, so the team plans to return to the same spots for many years to track population changes.

"In conversations with many longtime Long Island residents, it has become clear that box turtles are far less common than they once were," Thonis explained. Without consistent monitoring, scientists won't understand future declines or develop strategies to reverse them.

The work shows how creative conservation can be. "We're using animals to protect other animals," Hoffmann said. "It's very rewarding."

Local residents are already responding with enthusiasm. "When you're aware that they're endangered in their own backyard, people want to save them," Hoffmann added.

Two dogs, a ball, and thousands of sniffs are building a safer future for a species that's been around for millions of years.