Tag #Rescue Dogs

How is climate change impacting avalanche rescue efforts in the Italian Alps, and what are the immediate consequences?

In the Italian Dolomites, avalanche rescue dogs, like the five-year-old border collie Zen, are playing an increasingly crucial role due to a 50% rise in avalanche incidents over 25 years. Zen's keen sense of smell located a buried skier, highlighting the dogs' superior accuracy compared to transponders, crucial for swift victim recovery. However, even with canine assistance, a 40-year-old woman perished, emphasizing the critical time factor in avalanche survival.