Conservation Detection Dogs are well-trained working dogs that utilises their incredible sense of smell to detect and locate a nature-related target odor to support ecological conservation efforts. Using similar techniques from narcotics and explosive detection, the work done by Conservation Detection Dogs help in the protection and preservation of wildlife and natural habitats.

In general, Conservation Detection Dogs help in the detection of protected plant or animal species to assist in research and protection efforts, or the detection of invasive plant or animal species to assist in research and eradication programmes. They can be trained to locate specific scat, carcasses, live species, animal homes or wildlife products. Their services can be deployed for law enforcement (to prevent illegal wildlife trade), biosecurity (to detect biological threats), ecological monitoring (to find and monitor protected species) or ecological research purposes (to help conservationists develop effective strategies).