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GRAND CANYON, AZ (AZFamily) — Grand Canyon National Park is using a conservation dog to reduce dangerous encounters between visitors and wildlife.
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The park brought in Blue, a specially trained dog who will work with rangers along the South Rim. The effort is part of a three-year pilot program using dogs to move elk and bighorn sheep out of busy, developed areas where tourists get too close.
“Grand Canyon’s elk and bighorn sheep have become increasingly comfortable in developed areas over the last two decades,” said Brady Dunne, wildlife biologist and project lead for the pilot program. “This project gives us a humane, science-based tool to help encourage more natural wildlife behavior while improving visitor safety.”
Rangers said Blue uses barking and herding pressure to move the animals. She is trained to never make physical contact with the wild animals.
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Blue will primarily focus her work around the busiest areas in Grand Canyon Village where wildlife is most likely to encounter visitors, which include the El Tovar Complex, Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Maswik Lodge, Mather Campground service area and Grand Canyon School.
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