Alberta’s government is expanding its front-line defence against aquatic invasive species with the addition of two new detection dogs to inspect watercraft entering the province.
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Jane, a black Labrador retriever, and Winnie, a shelter rescue originally from Kansas, have joined veteran dog Hilo to help inspect boats and shorelines across the province.
Working alongside watercraft inspectors, the Conservation K-9s use their sense of smell to spot zebra, quagga and golden mussels hiding in hard-to-see areas of watercraft before they can reach local lakes and rivers.
Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter thanked the new additions for strengthening provincial efforts to keep Alberta’s waterways mussel-free.
So far in 2026, Alberta’s inspection program has intercepted six watercraft carrying invasive mussels at border points. The province has expanded its efforts this year to a record 12 watercraft inspection stations.
Mandatory inspections are in effect until Sept. 30 for anyone entering Alberta with a watercraft across the eastern and southern provincial borders.
Drivers who fail to stop at an open station face a $4,200 fine, while failing to remove a drain plug carries a $600 penalty.
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