Andorran scent-dog teams help contain African swine fever near Barcelona

Three handler-and-dog teams from Andorra’s Banders canine unit returned home after four days deployed in Collserola to help contain an African swine fever outbreak near Barcelona. The teams left on Friday and joined a large search operation using scent-trained dogs to locate live and dead wild boar in difficult-access areas of the natural park.

Each day began with an 08:30 briefing and teams were assigned to pre-defined sectors where the dogs could move more easily. The Andorran dogs are trained specifically to detect blood or toxic substances by scent, but also have broader wildlife-tracking skills; handlers sought not to alarm live animals so they would remain within the containment zone while searches checked for signs of disease.

The Banders worked alongside nearly 1,000 personnel taking part in the operation, including firefighters, Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalan and Madrid rural agents, the Guardia Civil, military units and local police. Over the course of the operation more than a dozen dead boar were found, though many proved to be victims of other incidents such as road collisions; all carcasses were tested. As of the latest counts, 13 positive cases remained confined to a roughly six-kilometre radius.

Strict biosecurity measures were applied after each search: dogs were thoroughly washed and vehicles, clothing and footwear disinfected to reduce the risk of unintentionally spreading the virus, which does not affect humans but can be transported on contaminated boots or equipment. Spain’s Emergency Military Unit (UME) assisted with specialist cleaning and used a disinfection tunnel to hygienize the working dogs; the Banders publicly thanked the UME for its care of the animals.

Banders chief Ferran Teixidó described the deployment as an important experience for the unit and highlighted behavioural differences in Collserola boar compared with those in Andorra—many animals in the park appeared more habituated to people, foraging at night and staying hidden by day, and sometimes remaining still when approached. The Banders said they will keep in contact with rural agents in the area and could return if further assistance is required.

The Andorran government framed the mission as an example of bilateral cooperation and solidarity with Spain, likening it to earlier Andorran firefighting aid, and said it remained ready to contribute to regional safety and welfare beyond its borders.