Dogs Trained to Detect Screwworms Offer Hope Amid Livestock Crisis in Mexico

detecting the smell of screwworms, which are pests responsible for infestations in livestock populations in Mexico, disrupting trade with the United States.

This training program is operated by a specialized unit of the Mexican health safety agency, Senasica, and involves an intensive three-month curriculum focused on teaching dogs to identify various agricultural pests and diseases. Many of the canines are rescued from shelters, providing them with a new opportunity at life while utilizing characteristics that might have previously been deemed undesirable, such as high energy and playful behavior.

Cesar Dangu, the head of the training center Ceacan, emphasizes that the ideal candidates for this work are often the very dogs that people struggle to manage. Some dogs do not respond positively to the screwworm scent, making those that do particularly valuable for the mission.

Due to the emergence of new screwworm cases in Mexico, including a recent detection that led to a U.S. border closure for cattle imports, the role of these specially trained dogs has become increasingly urgent. Currently, only six dogs are deployed at the border area in Chiapas, which is at the epicenter of the screwworm infestation threat.

On-site instructor Mayte Tontle describes ongoing training that simulates the challenging conditions these dogs will face in the field, such as high temperatures. The situation is dire, with an average of 47 new cases reportedly emerging every day.

In conjunction with their canine counterparts, the Mexican government has also invested in a facility in Chiapas aimed at producing sterile flies to help manage screwworm populations, with completion expected by mid-2026. Dogs trained at Ceacan serve for up to eight years or until they reach the age of ten, usually retiring into the homes of their handlers, which fosters a strong emotional bond formed through their work together.