Rescue Dogs Search Colorado Mountains for Marten Scat

Wildlife biologists and dog handlers used trained rescue dogs to locate marten scat in the southern San Juan Mountains during an October search.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Wildlife

Fallen spruce log crossing a mossy forest floor beneath tall evergreen trees in high-elevation Colorado woodland. — Wildlife biologists and handlers used trained rescue dog Rune to locate marten scat in Colorado's southern San Juan Mountains in October. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

In October, a team of wildlife biologists and two dog handlers searched the southern San Juan Mountains north of Chama for marten scat. The search followed Rune, a midsize rescue dog from Dallas, who located a sample in about 30 minutes.

Why it matters

Scat detection by trained dogs gives researchers a non-invasive way to gather data on elusive wildlife in remote terrain. The approach allows field teams to collect samples without trapping or disturbing the animals.

The search covered terrain in the southern San Juan Mountains north of Chama and lasted about 30 minutes before the dog signaled a find. The extraction does not specify the total area searched or the number of samples the project seeks.

The players

Susie Maslow

Susie Maslow is a dog handler who worked with the rescue dog Rune during the search and identified the scat sample.

Rune

Rune is a midsize rescue dog from Dallas trained to detect scat in the field and led the search team to the sample.

The details

The team bushwhacked through forest, stepping over downed logs and weaving through underbrush while following Rune. Handler Susie Maslow identified the scat sample once the dog signaled the find.

October 2026: Rescue dog scat search takes place in the southern San Juan Mountains.

Wildlife Research Methods

Detector dog scat surveys have become a standard non-invasive tool for tracking elusive mammals in remote mountain habitat. This search extends that method to martens in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado.

Non-invasive scat detection lets field researchers gather wildlife data without trapping or disturbing animals in remote areas. Colorado residents who spend time in the mountains may encounter similar survey efforts.

The takeaway

Trained dogs can locate signs of elusive animals that human searchers might miss, offering a practical method for conservation work in rugged terrain. This kind of approach can supply researchers with reliable field data while leaving wildlife undisturbed.