Sgiath the Labrador Recognized as Animal of the Year for Detecting Invasive 'Sea Vomit'

Sgiath, a six-year-old black Labrador from the Scottish Highlands, has been awarded Animal of the Year by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). This former mountain rescue dog is the first in the world trained to identify an invasive marine species commonly referred to as 'sea vomit.'

Marine ecologist Dr. Texa Sim trained Sgiath to quickly detect the scent of this organism, providing a more rapid and cost-effective method than traditional laboratory testing. Early detection through conservation dogs like Sgiath is crucial for combating the spread of invasive species, which is increasingly driven by rising sea temperatures, according to IFAW.

Sgiath received her award at a ceremony in London on Thursday, highlighting her significant contributions to marine conservation efforts.