Every year, millions of visitors come face-to-face with elk and bighorn sheep in busy areas—hotel courtyards, roadways, even schoolyards. Over the past few decades, wildlife in the park has become extremely habituated to people, and the risk to both animals and visitors is now at an all-time high. Traditional hazing techniques have proven ineffective over the years, leaving managers with limited options for keeping wildlife and people safely separated.

That’s where Blue, a specially trained Catahoula Leopard Dog, comes in, blazing a new trail in wildlife conservation. With support from Grand Canyon Conservancy, Blue is spearheading the park’s new Conservation K-9 Program, using safe, humane aversive conditioning to encourage elk and bighorn sheep to return to wild spaces. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to see Blue at work and learn why giving wildlife room to roam is essential for their safety—and ours.

Inspired by the highly successful program at Glacier National Park, Blue’s presence taps into natural predator-prey instincts, guiding animals away from developed areas without harm. Her work helps restore healthy wildlife behavior, reduce human–wildlife conflict, and keep high-traffic park zones safer for everyone.

But this program is more than innovative fieldwork—it’s grounded in science. Beginning in 2026, GPS-collared elk and bighorn sheep will offer valuable before-and-after data as part of a three-year study measuring how Blue’s efforts influence movement patterns, herd behavior, and human interaction. This research will help shape the future of coexistence in national parks.

Your support fuels this groundbreaking work. Every contribution helps keep wildlife wild and visitors safe.

Your generous gift will:

Support Blue’s specialized training, ensuring she and her handler can operate safely and effectively.
Provide a kennel that keeps Blue secure and comfortable.
Fund GPS tracking collars to monitor wildlife behavior and program success.
Supply an ATV to reach remote locations where Blue is needed most.
Cover year-round veterinary care to keep Blue healthy and field-ready.

Together, we can redefine wildlife stewardship at Grand Canyon—and Blue is leading the way.