Scooper, a trained newt detection dog acting as a conservation ambassador

A new vibrant children’s brochure with Scooper, the newt-detection dog, has been produced by the BESTbelt project 'Discovering Hidden Gems: An Educational Journey through the March-Thaya Floodplain Green Belt for All Ages'. The protagonist sniffs out rare amphibians and becomes a gentle companion in school nature classes, inspiring curiosity, conservation, and laughter through playful storytelling and cheerful illustrations for kids.

The BESTbelt project ‘Discovering Hidden Gems: An Educational Journey through the March-Thaya Floodplain Green Belt for All Ages’ follows a creative and interactive approach to raise awareness for biodiversity along the European Green Belt among children. 

Scooper the dog, protagonist of a new brochure, lives with his family in the March-Thaya-Auen, a unique floodplain landscape at Austria’s borders with Czech Republic and Slovakia. This region lies along the route of the former Iron Curtain, once a symbol of division and now part of the living European Green Belt.

At the heart of the children’s brochure is the endangered Danube crested newt, one of Europe’s most threatened amphibians. Austria holds special responsibility for protecting this rare species and its fragile wetland habitats. Through Scooper’s work as a newt-detection dog, children learn how scientists monitor wildlife and why careful conservation measures are essential.

The booklet connects natural history with European history, showing how former border zones have become valuable refuges for biodiversity. During interactive workshops, Scooper not only demonstrates his remarkable scenting skills but also acts as a friendly companion in environmental education activities.

All participating children aged eight to ten received the booklet after the workshop. Around 200 pupils have already taken part, and the program continues beyond the completed module, inspiring long-term curiosity, awareness, and commitment to nature conservation.

For more information, please contact: Verein Auring, info(at)auring.at

The implemented activities are part of the project "Discovering Hidden Gems: An Educational Journey through the March-Thaya Floodplain Green Belt for All Ages", which is iimplemented by AURING Biologische Station Hohenau Ringelsdorf from October 2024 to September 2026 and is financed through the BESTbelt project.