During his time with the program, Kilo conducted more than 200 inspections and successfully caught more than two dozen mussels contaminations.
Kilo the mussels-detecting German shepherd is sniffing his way into retirement.
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The canine has been serving with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service for eight years as part of its invasive species canine unit, as B.C.’s first search and detection dog trained to sniff out invasive mussels.
Kilo is trained to detect firearms and bear parts but is best known for detecting invasive zebra and quagga mussels, and has “played a pivotal role in keeping B.C. waterways free of aquatic invasive species.”
During his time with the program, Kilo has conducted more than 200 inspections and successfully caught more than two dozen mussels contaminations, triggering decontamination protocols and enforcement action by human conservation officers.
Kilo’s work and participation has also paved the way for the program’s expansion, with the addition of German shepherd Major in 2018.
“Kilo was an amazing partner and will be greatly missed in the field. Kilo is also trained to search for people and evidence, including bear parts and shell casings, and assisted in numerous COS investigations,” said Kilo’s handler, Sgt. Dan Bartol.
“Kilo’s abilities are uniquely exceptional and there is simply no substitute, human or mechanical, that can achieve what Kilo can and has done with his nose.”
Kilo will remain within the Conservation Officer Service family as he enjoys his retirement.