Employing sheep dogs may be the secret to keeping beaches E. coli-free and open to visitors this summer.
Employing sheep dogs may be the secret to keeping beaches E. coli-free and open to visitors this summer.
Researchers at Central Michigan University recently tested the ability of border collies to keep seagulls - and the bacteria they carry - away from the sands along Lake Michigan.
For two summers they assigned canine groups to patrol various beach segments.
They also noted areas that were left unpatrolled by the dogs.
All were periodically tested via sand and water samples.
Bird sightings were also recorded.
During the trials, the collies are said to have exhibited their natural intelligence and superior herding skills.
Working with a handler, the dogs were quite successful in keeping many of the birds away and from settling on the beach.
Now that all of the data has been collected, analyzed, and interpreted, it appears that the hard work of both the researchers and the canines paid off.
Results show that the protected areas had significantly less harmful bacteria than the unguarded ones did.
However levels had risen back up by late summer, and researchers believe that carefully timing the deployment of collie troops is considered a crucial aspect of the method’s success.
