Alberta adds two detection dogs to invasive mussel fight
The province is expanding its canine inspection unit as part of ongoing efforts to keep zebra and quagga mussels out of Alberta waters.
Why it matters
Invasive mussels can cause severe damage to waterways, infrastructure and ecosystems if they become established in Alberta's lakes and rivers.
Alberta's government has added two more highly trained detection dogs to its program aimed at stopping the spread of invasive mussels across the province, according to provincial officials.
The dogs join an existing team used to sniff out zebra and quagga mussels, which can cling to watercraft and equipment moved between bodies of water. Detection dogs are considered an effective tool because they can identify traces of mussels that might otherwise be missed during visual inspections.
Provincial officials say the expanded canine unit will support ongoing watercraft inspection efforts at stations across Alberta, part of a broader strategy to protect lakes and rivers from the invasive species.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.