Pictured: Magpie identifying the nest scent in the sandboxes. Provided photo.

Meet Magpie, the newest four-legged superstar of Project D.U.N.E. (Detection of Unknown Nests and Eggs).

When Magpie first came to Satchel’s Last Resort, a no-kill animal shelter and sanctuary dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs and cats with nowhere else to go due to breed, behavior or medical issues, the team knew that her intensity would not make for an easy placement, but they did see potential. So, when Sea Turtle, Inc., an organization that protects sea turtles through conservation, medical care, applied research and education, reached out to them for a dog to help find and protect sea turtle nests, they knew Magpie—the high-energy, super-smart pup—was exactly what they needed.

"We had just finished up Muzzle Outreach Training for the community, and I came home and looked at my email, and there was a message from the CEO of Sea Turtle, Inc., Wendy Knight. Her subject line was, 'Can you help us find a dog for sea turtle nest detection?' and it immediately intrigued me,” shares Satchel’s Board President, Jill Creevy. “One of the things we love to do at Satchel's Last Resort is enrichment. We do agility, and we're starting a scent work class, so these are things that we love. Being able to help another nonprofit was an automatic yes for us."

"We were given some specific qualities they were looking for in a dog–a dog that was focus-driven, that really enjoyed treats, was toy motivated and a little bit crazy. That's how we picked Miss. Magpie," adds Satchel’s Executive Director, Michal Anne Vander Woude.

Sea Turtle, Inc. is training Magpie to sniff out sea turtle nests along the coast. Harnessing a dog’s extraordinary sense of smell enables the organization to locate and protect nests faster and more accurately than traditional human patrols alone, helping ensure more hatchlings reach the ocean.

“Innovation in conservation means thinking differently and acting boldly. Bringing a nest-detecting dog into our program felt like a natural extension of our mission, and doing it through rescue made it even more meaningful," says Wendy Knight. "Partnering with Satchel’s Last Resort to find Magpie allows us to protect sea turtles while also giving a deserving dog a second chance. That’s the kind of impact we believe in.”

Pictured: Magpie identifying the nest scent in the sandboxes. Provided photo.

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