Latest news with #Rutter
The Age
4 days ago
- Science
- The Age
When kelpie-cross Kip sits down while riding a paddle board, scientists pay attention
In May 2024, on a rocky expanse of tussock-grassland on Melbourne's western outskirts, Zoos Victoria detection dog officer Nick Rutter observed his canine colleague Daisy suddenly cease her nose-down sweep of the terrain and sit down. Turning her head, her eyes caught his as if to say, Nick, you're going to want to see this. With a quickening heart, Rutter caught up to Daisy – a small, eight-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo with a brown woolly coat as tight as an '80s perm – and spied in the dirt beside her a tiny burrow, into which he fed an endoscope camera. 'And I could see this tiny, gorgeous [Victorian grassless] earless dragon face peering back at me,' Rutter says, referring to the 15-centimetre-long creature – the most imperilled reptile in Australia. 'It was an absolutely amazing, career-defining moment. A moment of joy.' Estimates of the sensitivity of dog noses relative to human noses vary wildly, from 10,000 to 1 million times more sensitive. Whatever the number, it explains why humans have long made use of dogs' highly tuned olfactory abilities to aid them in everything from hunting game to detecting cadavers, drugs, explosives, cancer – and endangered species. As of June this year, Rutter and his (human and canine) colleagues at Zoos Victoria's Wildlife Detection Dog Program have assisted threatened-species biologists in finding 15 Victorian grassland earless dragons, a species not seen for half a century and thought extinct until one was found in 2023. The dog squad, based at Healesville Sanctuary within the Coranderrk Bushland Nature Conservation Reserve 60 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, isn't only searching for the tiny reptile, which is now the subject of a breeding program. The squad's five dogs are also trained to sniff out broad-toothed rats, Tasmanian devils, Baw Baw frogs and platypuses. In lieu of a salary and superannuation, the dogs, who live on site, are compensated with hugs, treats, soft toys and play. 'We call it a 'party',' says Rutter, who was never allowed a dog growing up and is now making up for it. 'So when they find their target, we kind of get down on our hands and knees and have a party with them. Some of the dogs really like a tennis ball and to let off a lot of steam. Some like a high-value reward, like a nice bit of boiled-up venison or some chicken. Daisy, she's a cuddler.' The training process is a slow one, says Naomi Hodgens, fellow detection-dog team member along with La Toya Jamieson and Rutter. Over about nine months, trainers begin familiarising the dogs with their new target while teaching them to ignore competing odours. Eventually, the dogs are taken out into the field to find their species in situ. Loading Hodgens and Jamieson are currently surveying platypus numbers within the Coranderrk Creek. To combat some of the hard-to-access bushland, Kip, a 10-year-old kelpie-cross, and Moss, a six-year-old labrador, have each been trained by Jamieson to stand on the bow of paddle boards while Hodgens and Jamieson navigate through the creek. When the boards come within a metre or two of an occupied platypus burrow, which can be hidden from human view, the dogs sit and point their noses in the direction of the burrow.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Science
- Sydney Morning Herald
When kelpie-cross Kip sits down while riding a paddle board, scientists pay attention
In May 2024, on a rocky expanse of tussock-grassland on Melbourne's western outskirts, Zoos Victoria detection dog officer Nick Rutter observed his canine colleague Daisy suddenly cease her nose-down sweep of the terrain and sit down. Turning her head, her eyes caught his as if to say, Nick, you're going to want to see this. With a quickening heart, Rutter caught up to Daisy – a small, eight-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo with a brown woolly coat as tight as an '80s perm – and spied in the dirt beside her a tiny burrow, into which he fed an endoscope camera. 'And I could see this tiny, gorgeous [Victorian grassless] earless dragon face peering back at me,' Rutter says, referring to the 15-centimetre-long creature – the most imperilled reptile in Australia. 'It was an absolutely amazing, career-defining moment. A moment of joy.' Estimates of the sensitivity of dog noses relative to human noses vary wildly, from 10,000 to 1 million times more sensitive. Whatever the number, it explains why humans have long made use of dogs' highly tuned olfactory abilities to aid them in everything from hunting game to detecting cadavers, drugs, explosives, cancer – and endangered species. As of June this year, Rutter and his (human and canine) colleagues at Zoos Victoria's Wildlife Detection Dog Program have assisted threatened-species biologists in finding 15 Victorian grassland earless dragons, a species not seen for half a century and thought extinct until one was found in 2023. The dog squad, based at Healesville Sanctuary within the Coranderrk Bushland Nature Conservation Reserve 60 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, isn't only searching for the tiny reptile, which is now the subject of a breeding program. The squad's five dogs are also trained to sniff out broad-toothed rats, Tasmanian devils, Baw Baw frogs and platypuses. In lieu of a salary and superannuation, the dogs, who live on site, are compensated with hugs, treats, soft toys and play. 'We call it a 'party',' says Rutter, who was never allowed a dog growing up and is now making up for it. 'So when they find their target, we kind of get down on our hands and knees and have a party with them. Some of the dogs really like a tennis ball and to let off a lot of steam. Some like a high-value reward, like a nice bit of boiled-up venison or some chicken. Daisy, she's a cuddler.' The training process is a slow one, says Naomi Hodgens, fellow detection-dog team member along with La Toya Jamieson and Rutter. Over about nine months, trainers begin familiarising the dogs with their new target while teaching them to ignore competing odours. Eventually, the dogs are taken out into the field to find their species in situ. Loading Hodgens and Jamieson are currently surveying platypus numbers within the Coranderrk Creek. To combat some of the hard-to-access bushland, Kip, a 10-year-old kelpie-cross, and Moss, a six-year-old labrador, have each been trained by Jamieson to stand on the bow of paddle boards while Hodgens and Jamieson navigate through the creek. When the boards come within a metre or two of an occupied platypus burrow, which can be hidden from human view, the dogs sit and point their noses in the direction of the burrow.
Scottish Sun
20-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Gardeners told to use 22p kitchen staples for ‘vampire trick' which can banish slugs from your garden for good
Scroll down to find out how to pest-proof your garden this summer CLOVE-LY DAY Gardeners told to use 22p kitchen staples for 'vampire trick' which can banish slugs from your garden for good A GARDENING expert has revealed a 22p hack to banish slugs from gardens using a very common kitchen staple. Now that summer is finally here, many Brits will be looking for ways to spruce up their outdoor spaces - including getting rid of any nasty critters. Advertisement 1 Experts suggest using garlic to rid gardens of slugs Credit: Getty Slugs and snails are notorious for wreaking havoc on gardens, in particular during rainy patches when they come out in their swathes to feast on crops and plants. Over the years, experts have come out with a whole host of - often ineffective - methods to combat these garden pests. From splashing beer and sprinkling eggshells on crops to surrounding veg patches with copper tape. But one savvy expert believes they have found a cheap, store cupboard hack that could rid gardens of these pests once and for all. Advertisement Read more on Fab Green Grass Hack Mowing hack gardeners swear by keeps grass lush & green in hot weather Gardeners have been urged to introduce garlic to their gardens as a means of deterring the slugs. And at just 22p a bulb, this could be the cheapest hack yet. Garlic wash involves boiling two whole bulbs of garlic in two litres of water until they soften, then pulping them to make a juice. After removing the garlic skins, the concentrated liquid should be diluted with water and put into a spray can which can be used over plants. Advertisement The liquid should then be sprayed on plants across the summer right into October. A gardening expert wrote: "We use garlic wash as a slug deterrent on the nursery. 6 ways to get rid of slugs and snails "Please find below the recipe that we use and find very effective. The quantities aren't exact and you can always alter them as you wish." If the smell of garlic is too pungent Homes & Garden writer, Thomas Rutter, suggests using cucumber instead. Advertisement Stopping slugs and snails using the cucumber hack is surprisingly simple. While it may not eradicate these pests, it can help gardeners control their numbers. Rutter said: "First, raid your fridge drawer and retrieve a cucumber, before slicing it thinly. "Don't worry about the quality of the cucumber here, in fact, it is best to use those that are past their best." Advertisement Rutter then advises to place the slices near your more vulnerable plants in the evening. Slugs and snails will be lured to the scent and moisture of the cucumber. Then, after a few hours or the following morning, you can collect the pests and dispose of them. It's not too dissimilar from companion planting or trap plants for pest control. Advertisement But what's better is that it's a chemical-free approach, safe for pets and requires almost no effort.
The Irish Sun
20-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Gardeners told to use 22p kitchen staples for ‘vampire trick' which can banish slugs from your garden for good
A GARDENING expert has revealed a 22p hack to banish slugs from gardens using a very common kitchen staple. Now that summer is finally here, many Brits will be looking for ways to spruce up their 1 Experts suggest using garlic to rid gardens of slugs Credit: Getty Slugs and snails are notorious for wreaking havoc on gardens, in particular during rainy patches when they come out in their swathes to feast on crops and plants. Over the years, experts have come out with a whole host of - often ineffective - From splashing beer and sprinkling eggshells on crops to surrounding veg patches with copper tape. But one savvy expert believes they have found a cheap, store cupboard hack that could rid gardens of these pests once and for all. Read more on Fab Gardeners have been urged to introduce garlic to their gardens as a means of deterring the slugs. And at just 22p a bulb, this could be the Garlic wash involves boiling two whole bulbs of garlic in two litres of water until they soften, then pulping them to make a juice. After removing the garlic skins, the concentrated liquid should be diluted with water and put into a spray can which can be used over plants. Most read in Fabulous The liquid should then be sprayed on plants across the summer right into October. A gardening expert wrote: "We use garlic wash as a slug deterrent on the nursery. 6 ways to get rid of slugs and snails "Please find below the recipe that we use and find very effective. The quantities aren't exact and you can always alter them as you wish." If the smell of garlic is too pungent Stopping slugs and snails using the While it may not eradicate these pests, it can help gardeners control their numbers. Rutter said: "First, raid your fridge drawer and retrieve a cucumber, before slicing it thinly. "Don't worry about the quality of the cucumber here, in fact, it is best to use those that are past their best." Rutter then advises to place the slices near your more vulnerable plants in the evening. Slugs and snails will be lured to the scent and moisture of the cucumber. Then, after a few hours or the following morning, you can collect the pests and dispose of them. It's not too dissimilar from companion planting or trap plants for pest control. But what's better is that it's a chemical-free approach, safe for pets and requires almost no effort.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rutter sustains spine and leg fractures in TT crash
Seven-time Isle of Man TT winner Michael Rutter has had "a number of fractures" in his spine "stabilised" after a crash in Friday's Supertwin race. The 53-year-old crashed on the third and final lap at the 31st milestone on Friday and was transferred to the Walton Unit at Aintree Hospital in Liverpool. Advertisement A statement on Bathams Racing's Facebook page said "the worst of his injuries have been treated successfully" and he has "already been able to mobilise on his feet". "He suffered a number of fractures in his spine between the L2 and L5 vertebrae," Rutter's team said. "Surgeons have successfully stabilised all the fractures and Michael has already been able to mobilise on his feet. "He requires more surgery in his ankle to repair a further fracture, but for now the worst of his injuries have been treated successfully." Rutter made his Isle of Man TT debut in 1994 and decided to step back from the Superbike and Superstock races for the 2025 event to focus on the Supertwins - the slowest of the four classes at the road race. The Isle of Man TT is an annual road race which takes place on 37.7 miles of closed public roads on the Mountain Course.
