{"id":48137,"date":"2025-04-24T09:51:05","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T17:51:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/?p=48137"},"modified":"2025-05-01T07:29:43","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T15:29:43","slug":"detector-dogs-sniff-out-endangered-orchids-in-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2025\/04\/24\/detector-dogs-sniff-out-endangered-orchids-in-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"Detector Dogs Sniff Out Endangered Orchids in Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Virginia, orchid biologist Melissa McCormick searches for the Small Whorled Pogonia, Isotria medeoloides<\/em><\/a>. This endangered orchid is native to eastern areas of the USA and Canada. It’s a small plant with green flowers<\/a>, it resembles other plants, and it can go dormant underground for years. Humans have a difficult time finding it, but for dogs, it’s pretty easy.<\/a> Labradors named Encore and Grand have learned to locate the Pogonias. With their powerful sense of smell, the dogs lead scientists to the orchids. So far, they’ve sniffed out previously unknown Pogonias, and areas where there may be dormant plants. Dog detectors like these usually come from shelters, and can be trained to find animals, plants, and even do search and rescue missions. When it’s time for them to retire, they’re adopted by their trainers, or by other dog lovers.<\/p>\n

Check out this short video of an excited dog finding an orchid –
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