3 Dogs Are Rebuilding Chilean Forests Once Devastated By Fire: Ecology | Department of Biological Sciences
February 27, 2018

3 Dogs Are Rebuilding Chilean Forests Once Devastated By Fire: Ecology

3 Dogs Are Rebuilding Chilean Forests Once Devastated By Fire

BY DESIRÉE KAPLAN

Last year, forest fires in central Chile wreaked havoc in the El Maule region with more than 100 different wildfires sweeping through the area and destroying over a million acres of forest land. It was the worst wildfire season in the country's history, taking several lives and created an estimated $333 million of dollars worth of damages. The animals were forced to flee to safer areas.

The job to replant endless acres of forests seemed like a daunting endeavor. That is until three unusual workers took up the task. Six-year-old Das and her two daughters, Olivia and Summer are three Border Collies who have been trained to run through the damaged forests with special backpacks that release native plant seeds. Once they take root, these seeds will help regrow the destroyed area.

It turns out that Border Collies are an ideal breed for this specific type of job.

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