In the breathtaking Dolomites of northern Italy, Zen, a 5-year-old border collie, demonstrates his avalanche rescue skills, circling a mound of snow, his movements signaling to his handler that someone is buried deep beneath. Zen is one of the standout avalanche dogs being trained by the Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps, and on this day, he is setting an example for 20 other dogs being certified for avalanche rescue.
Zen has been working as a rescue dog for three years, and his role is becoming more critical as avalanche rescues increase in Italy, which has seen a 50% rise in avalanche incidents over the past 25 years. This surge is attributed to climate change, which has brought heavier, wetter snow to mid-elevations where most people venture, making it harder for trapped victims to survive.
The dogs’ abilities to detect the scent of a person buried under snow are essential to the success of these rescues, often more reliable than transponder devices. When Zen locates a victim, he retrieves a rope tug toy from the snow as a signal of life. His handler then digs out the volunteer buried in the snow and showers Zen with praise.
However, the reality of avalanche rescues is sobering. In the case of a recent avalanche on Giau Pass, Zen’s team managed to locate the third buried victim, a woman buried in 3-4 meters of snow. Despite swift action, both she and another skier were found deceased. In such cases, the crucial window for survival is the first 15 minutes; beyond that, chances of survival significantly drop.
The growing importance of avalanche dogs is reflected in the increase in avalanche incidents, which have become more frequent in the face of changing weather patterns. Heavy snow, especially at mid-altitudes, compresses the snow, reducing air pockets that would typically allow a trapped person to breathe. These changes underscore the need for fast, effective search and rescue operations.
Zen’s handler, Paolo Sbisa, who raised him from puppyhood, emphasizes the importance of building a strong bond between the handler and the dog, ensuring the dog understands and responds to cues efficiently.
Though dogs often find bodies, their contribution to the rescue process remains invaluable. Experts suggest that while avalanche victims have the best chance of survival if rescued within the first 15 minutes, more than 70% die of asphyxiation if not located within 35 minutes.
Zen’s work also highlights the ongoing impact of climate change on avalanche conditions in Italy. As the Mediterranean region becomes a “hotspot” for warming, the region faces increasingly challenging conditions for both rescuers and victims.
Zen, along with his fellow avalanche dogs, remains at the forefront of these life-saving efforts, offering hope even in the most desperate of situations.
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