Paradise’s four-legged guardian is hanging up his leash.<\/p>\n
For almost a decade Sebbi the springer spaniel has been Lord Howe Island’s last line of defence.<\/p>\n
As the longest-serving biosecurity dog on the idyllic land mass, he has helped to keep the island untouched and free of contamination for most of his life.<\/p>\n
Both he and his son Zuma have been invasive pests’ worst enemy in the island’s battle to preserve its unique natural environment.<\/p>\n
Lord Howe Island is in the Tasman Sea, located 700 kilometres off the coast of Sydney.<\/p>\n
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Sebbi’s pest detection role helped to preserve the island’s unique natural environment. (Supplied)<\/p>\n
Now, after years of sniffing and scavenging for pests, Sebbi is off to the doggy retirement village \u2014 otherwise known as suburban Brisbane with his former handler.<\/p>\n
It is a day everyone on the island who loves Sebbi knew was going to come, especially after he took on an “ambassador” role in his later years where he entertained crowds.<\/p>\n
As Sebbi’s bright white and copper fur faded, he turned his talents to greeting arrivals at the airport, where he could still put that nose to good use.<\/p>\n
And it was his keen nose that was vital in playing a mentoring role to the new dogs ready to fill his prior position.<\/p>\n
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Sebbi is enjoying his retirement in Brisbane. (Supplied)<\/p>\n
So what is next for Sebbi? Embracing everything retirement has to offer, including a new sibling.<\/p>\n
“He has settled into our home extremely well and is enjoying going on walks and adventures with his new pup-sister, Lacey,” his former handler and new owner Saxxon Thompson said.<\/p>\n
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Sebbi has settled into the Brisbane lifestyle well, his owner said. (Supplied)<\/p>\n
It is thanks to Sebbi and his handlers that in 2023 the island was able to report that it had been free of rodents for two years straight.<\/p>\n
Considered a living laboratory by the scores of scientists who conduct research on the island, Sebbi was the knight in shining armour for protecting its over 200 endemic native species.<\/p>\n