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Retired Police Dog Is Helping MSU Sniff Out Beehive Problems

INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AUG 11 – Maple, a retired K-9, helps detect American foulbrood disease in honey bee colonies to protect pollinators crucial for a large part of the human diet, researchers said.

  • Researchers at Michigan State University are enlisting Maple, a retired detection K-9, to sniff out American foulbrood disease at a honey bee protection facility, Milbrath said.
  • Amid years of declining bee populations, MSU researchers sought new detection tools, noting that pollinators are vital for the human diet and are declining due to disease, insecticides, climate change, and limited food diversity.
  • Trainer Stejskal has outfitted Maple with the same personal protective equipment as she wears during a demonstration at hive boxes.
  • Stejskal recognizes the project’s importance, and Meghan Milbrath plans to coauthor a book to share Maple’s training strategy, noting its importance.
  • After retiring from human remains detection in 2024, Maple, who once served with the St. Joseph County sheriff’s office, now protects bees in research circles.
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Associated Press NewsAssociated Press News
+22 Reposted by 22 other sources
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Former K-9 Maple is busy as a bee sniffing out threats to Michigan State University colonies

Researchers at a Michigan State University facility dedicated to protecting honey bees are enlisting a four-legged ally to sniff out danger to the prized pollinators.

·United States
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Maple, an English springer spaniel, has been trained to detect harmful bacteria in bee hives, the Washington Post writes. Equipped with its own beekeeping suit

·Novi Beograd, Serbia
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Winnipeg Free Press broke the news in Winnipeg, Canada on Monday, August 11, 2025.
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