Working Dog Crowned Animal of the Year for Tackling Invasive Carpet Sea Squirt

A four‑legged champion has been awarded this year’s Animal of the Year after a working dog assisted in eliminating a rapidly spreading marine pest called the carpet sea squirt, a creature nicknamed “sea vomit” because of its vivid orange, jelly‑like colonies.

Native to the Pacific coast of North America, the carpet sea squirt reached European waters hitching rides on ship hulls and aquaculture gear. After gaining a foothold, it smothers rocks, piers and kelp forests, outcompeting indigenous species and reshaping ecosystems. Its swift expansion has driven marine scientists to explore novel control strategies.

The solution came in the form of a specially trained dog, whose acute nose can sniff out the squirt’s concealed mats beneath tidal zones. Handlers lead the animal on intertidal patrols, and once it signals a find, divers are sent in to extract the colonies. This method merges conventional marine management with canine detection, providing a low‑impact, economical alternative that sidesteps chemical use.

Environmental organizations and research institutes have lauded the partnership, pointing out that the dog’s efforts have produced quantifiable declines in squirt coverage across multiple at‑risk coastlines. The accolade, bestowed by a national wildlife charity, highlights an expanding acknowledgment of animals as allies in conservation, mirroring other initiatives that use birds of prey, pigs and even otters to combat invasive species.

Looking forward, officials indicate that the triumph of the canine program will guide upcoming pilot projects aimed at other marine invaders like the Japanese kelp and the Pacific oyster. By demonstrating the concrete advantages of interdisciplinary collaboration, the celebrated dog has not only secured a title but also illuminated a hopeful route for safeguarding delicate coastal habitats.