The koala detection dog* who became famous because of his work during Australia’s catastrophic Black Summer* bushfires has hung up his boots for the final time.

Eleven-year-old Bear was recruited and trained 10 years ago to sniff out koalas and other wildlife in need of rescue, working with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW*) and University of the Sunshine Coast’s (UniSC) Detection Dogs for Conservation.

“Bear has been a huge part of our lives, and a tireless ambassador* for koalas for a decade, and I can’t believe we won’t walk the bush in search of koalas together anymore,” UniSC conservation ecologist* Associate Professor Romane Cristescu, one of Bear’s former handlers said.

Bear scouting for koalas. Picture: IFAW

“He melted hearts all around the world, and opened many doors so we could have critical and difficult conversations about climate change and its impacts on the threatened koalas, as well as so many other species.”

Bear was one of the first dogs in Australia to be trained on the scent of the fur of live koalas. He drops to the ground at the base of a tree when he finds a koala, and his reward is his favourite thing in life – a ball.

Bear has won hearts throughout his time as a detection dog. Picture: IFAW

During the Australian bushfires of 2019-20, thousands of koalas were impacted. Bear’s searches of scorched land led to the discovery of more than 100 koalas, many in need of veterinary care. His heroic efforts earned the admiration of everyone – even Hollywood actors like Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Bear even earned fame online during the Black Summer bushfires. Picture: IFAW

One notable rescue was when Bear used his super sense of smell to find a mother koala named Jessie and her joey, Amelia, in the scorched land at Two Thumbs Wildlife Trust Sanctuary in NSW after the Black Summer bushfires. During a veterinary check-up, the team discovered Jessie was pregnant. They stayed in care for six months until it was time for Amelia, Jessie and her new joey, Jazz, to be released back into the wild.

Bear helped to discover more than 100 koalas during the Black Summer bushfires. Picture: IFAW

“The moment Bear stepped onto that fireground*, we had no idea what he’d be capable of – until he exceeded every expectation. That’s when we realised we weren’t just working with a dog, but a true hero,” IFAW head of programs, Josey Sharrad, said.

Since then, Bear has continued to support his four-legged teammates on rescue missions and in post-disaster recovery surveys to understand the long-term impacts of disasters, especially fires, on koala populations.

Bear has a playful, energetic nature. Picture: IFAW / Riana Gardiner

By working as a detection dog, Bear found a way to channel his boundless energy. Picture: IFAW/Riana Gardiner

Before he was a conservation hero, he was struggling to find a forever home because of his boundless energy and need for constant play.

“The worst pets often make the best detection dogs, and Bear is a classic example of this,” Ms Sharrad said. “His energetic nature and ball obsession made him the perfect candidate. He literally went from chewing the walls of a Gold Coast apartment to roaming through the Aussie bush on a mission to save our most iconic* species.”

Bear will now enjoy his retirement at home with his humans. Picture: IFAW/Riana Gardiner

Bear will continue to enjoy playing. Picture: IFAW / Riana Gardiner

“He found his life’s true purpose and never stopped surprising us with his ‘koality* skills’. His legacy will continue through the next generation of detection dogs who will follow in his famous pawprints.”

Bear will retire with several awards under his collar – including IFAW’s prestigious Animal of the Year award and the Puppy Tales Photos Australian Dog of the Year award. He has even had a “dogumentary” made about him called Bear: Koala Hero, as well as a book called Bear to the Rescue.

He’ll especially love spending more time chasing his ball. Picture: IFAW/Riana Gardiner

Bear, an Australian koolie, will spend his retirement with his human and one of his former handlers on the Sunshine Coast, getting belly rubs and playing his favourite game — fetch.

“By his personality, which is both joyful and goofy, he was able to bring light to the most dire moments of many people’s lives. We are incredibly grateful and lucky to have had Bear as a companion in our lives and to fight for koala conservation,” Dr Cristescu said.

Bear’s four-and-two-legged teammates will continue their important work conducting surveys for research into wildlife and habitat protection.