Story perspectives

IFAW Names Sgiath Animal of the Year for Sea Squirt Detection

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 10:22 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

International Fund for Animal Welfare named Sgiath Animal of the Year for detecting carpet sea squirts.
Dr Texa Sim trained a Labrador from the Scottish Highlands to locate the invasive carpet sea squirt.
Sharon Livermore, IFAW marine-conservation director, praised Sgiath’s innovation and rescue background.
Summer heatwaves accelerated its spread because the species thrives at 11–14 °C water temperatures.
In 1969 sea squirts nearly destroyed Portuguese oyster farms off France and Portugal.

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Story summary

International Fund for Animal Welfare named Sgiath Animal of the Year for detecting carpet sea squirts.
Dr Texa Sim trained a Labrador from the Scottish Highlands to locate the invasive carpet sea squirt.
Sharon Livermore, IFAW marine-conservation director, praised Sgiath’s innovation and rescue background.
Summer heatwaves accelerated its spread because the species thrives at 11–14 °C water temperatures.
In 1969 sea squirts nearly destroyed Portuguese oyster farms off France and Portugal.