Pedro Martín (PSOE), the former president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, exhibited excitement and warmth on November 30, 2022, while introducing two Belgian Malinois shepherds named Teno and Jama, who became part of the island’s administrative team. Initially pioneering, the previous administration, responding to recommendations from the Natural Environment department, regarded their role vital in combatting poisons.
Nearly two years later, under the new island government and primarily due to the stance of the Biodiversity supervisor, Teno and Jama are currently inactive. Over the past year, Jama has been returned due to dysplasia, while Teno is housed at the Wildlife Recovery Centre (CRFS) of the Cabildo.
Despite the substantial investment and commitment to employing these dogs to combat poisons affecting the flora and fauna of the island, they have been sidelined and deemed ineffective, resulting in Jama’s return. Efforts are underway to find a solution for Teno. Apart from detecting poisons to prevent the loss of various species, these dogs are adept at locating dead animals impacted by toxic substances that can be transmitted among species and pose risks to humans.
The decision to introduce these Belgian shepherds was influenced by the Natural Environment staff at the Tenerife Council, following a strategy aligned with Gran Canaria’s administration.
Introducing these Belgian shepherds incurred not just acquisition costs (€15,000) but also required regional company Gesplan to hire a specialised caretaker for their training and care, amounting to €30,000 annually.
The previous administration emphasised that this initiative marked a significant development in poison detection and preservation of wildlife affected by toxic substances, which often leads to fatalities, particularly among birds, lizards, and rodents. Notably, they discovered numerous banned rodenticides in protected areas, as announced by the Cabildo in May 2023.
These two Belgian shepherds were integrated into a canine unit of the Cabildo, spearheaded by the former Minister of the Natural Environment Isabel García and Gesplan CEO, Agoney Piñero, who retains their position.
Despite a request for the island government’s statement on Tuesday, Canarias Ahora did not receive a response.
