Overview
- IFAW opened applications and began interviewing candidates on Wednesday, May 20, and is also reviewing video submissions to find Bear’s replacement.
- The charity wants a shelter-sourced dog less than two years old that is energetic, confident and has an 'obsessive' drive to search for koalas.
- Handlers insist the dog must be gentle with koalas, rarely bark, and be medium-sized so it can work in rough bushland yet be carried if needed.
- The new dog will be trained to detect the scent of koala fur and to signal finds the same way Bear did so teams and drones can respond quickly in fires.
- Bear rescued more than 100 koalas over about a decade, including during the 2019–2020 Black Summer fires, and choosing a shelter dog aims to pair animal welfare with conservation needs.