>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ... 'S >> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TONIGHT WE HAVE A SPECIAL EPISODE WITH SOME OF OUR FAVORITE ANIMAL STORIES FROM 2023.

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH LOCAL EFFORTS TO SAVE ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST ENDANGERED SPECIES.

THE SAN DIEGO ZOO IS A LEADER IN TRYING TO PRESERVE A SPECIFIC RHINO.

THERE ARE SIZE THEIR WORK IS PAYING OFF.

ERIC ANDREWS HAS MORE ON THEIR EFFORTS.

>> Reporter: THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF NATURE AND NATURE RESOURCES REPORT SAYS THE POPULATION OF THE THREAT AND RHINOS INCREASE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE.

THE STUDY FOUND THE POPULATION CLIMBED MORE THAN 5 1/2% OVER THE LAST YEAR.

THAT HAPPENED AS POACHING CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.

THE STUDY CREDITS CONSERVATION EFFORTS.

>> THESE NUMBERS GIVE US HOPE AND MAKE US REALIZE THESE EFFORTS ARE BEING SUCCESSFUL.

THAT GENERATES MORE INTEREST AND MORE SUPPORT FOR THESE EFFORTS.

IT IS A NICE ARTICLE, AN INCREASING CIRCLE OF AWARENESS AND SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: SHE IS ACTIVELY WORKING TO REVIVE THE NORTHERN WHITE RHINO.

ONLY TWO FEMALES PAST BREEDING AGE REMAIN ALIVE.

THE SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE IS PREPARING SCENE OF -- FEMALES TO PREPARE A NORTHERN WHITE EMBRYO CREATED FROM FROZEN GENETIC MATERIALS.

>> THERE ARE NOW 3-4 GROUPS WORKING ON THIS PROJECT.

SOME EMBRYOS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED.

VERY FEW HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED.

EMBRYO TRANSFER IS A COMPLICATED PROCEDURE IN ITSELF.

>> Reporter: SHE HOPES USING PROVEN MOTHERS WILL INCREASE CHANCES, EVEN IF AFTER THE SPECIES GOES EXTINCT DURRANT SAYS THERE IS ENOUGH FROZEN GENETIC MATERIAL TO CREATE A DIVERSE LIVING HURT.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> BACK IN MARCH THE UNITED NATIONS AGREED TO A PLAN TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY IN INTERNATIONAL WATER.

WE MET WITH SAN DIEGO OCEANOGRAPHERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AGREEMENT AND WHAT IT MIGHT ACHIEVE.

>> Reporter: LISA LEVIN WAS ONE OF THE MANY PEOPLE WHO WENT TO NEW YORK TO CREATE A OCEAN TREATY U.N. MEMBERS COULD AGREE ON.

LEVIN IS A DEEP-SEA BIOLOGIST AND A PROFESSOR AT SCRIPPS INSTITUTE.

SHE SAYS THE AGREEMENT WAS A LONG TIME COMING.

>> IT HAS BEEN 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING, WHICH IS NOT UNUSUAL, BUT A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT.

AND NOW CREATES A VEHICLE TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE 60% OF THE OCEAN THAT BASICALLY WAS NOT UNDER REGULATION.

>> Reporter: LEVIN'S MAIN PURPOSE IN CRAFTING THE TREATY WAS TO MAKE SURE CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE REDUCTION OF OCEAN OXYGEN WERE A PROMINENT PART.

IN THE DRAFT DOCUMENT BOTH THINGS ARE MENTIONED AT THE TOP .

SHE SAYS THE TREATY COULD BE USED TO MAKE SOME PARTS OF THE HIGH SEAS OFF-LIMITS.

>> IT WILL BASICALLY ALLOW FOR THE CREATION OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS OR MARINE PARKS WHERE THERE CAN BE POTENTIALLY NO HUMAN ACTIVITY.

>> THE TREATY CREATES GROUND RULES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS, OVERFISHING, MINING AND LOW LEVELS OF OXYGEN ARE AMONG THE FACTORS THAT HAVE DEVASTATED OCEAN WILDLIFE.

A MARINE ECOLOGISTS AT SCRIPPS OCEANOGRAPHY SAYS NEARLY 90% OF THE OCEANS LARGE FISH AND MAMMALS HAVE BEEN LOST.

>> SHARKS, MANY SPECIES THAT LIVE VERY FAR FROM THE COAST HAVE BEEN DISSEMINATED BY INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY.

IF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES LIKE MINING START HAPPENING BASICALLY WE WILL LOSE MORE AND MORE.

>> Reporter: WHAT THE TREATY IS RATIFIED IT CAN BE USED TO CREATE PROTECTED AREAS.

LEVIN HOPES THAT WILL HAPPEN SOON.

>> THE OCEAN FACES MANY THREATS .

I SEE THE BIGGEST AS CLIMATE CHANGE COMBINED WITH OVERFISHING.

THOSE TWO PRESSURES EXERT ENORMOUS STRESS ON MANY OF OUR OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS.

>> SHE WELCOMES THE TREATY AND HOPES BY THE END OF THE CENTURY WILL LEARN TO REDUCE OMISSIONS AND TURN OUR EARTH AND OCEANS INTO SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTS.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WHEN A NATURAL DISASTER HAPPENS THAT'S OFTEN END UP IN SHELTERS.

IT HAPPENED THIS SUMMER WHEN WILDFIRES DEVASTATED PARTS OF MAUI AND SAN DIEGO WAS READY TO ANSWER THE CALL.

HOW ONE LOCAL SHELTER HELPS.

>> Reporter: OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF NIGHTS SOME VERY SPECIAL HAWAIIANS HAVE BEEN ARRIVING IN SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, REFUGEES OF THE FOUR-LEGGED VARIETY.

>> AFTER THE FIRE WE KNEW THAT ADOPTION RATES WERE GOING TO PLUMMET.

>> THAT IS MONICA PETROZELI.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS A LONG WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HAWAII ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION.

>> WE KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO BE OVERCAPACITY WITH PETS THAT HAVE BEEN LOST OR INJURED.

>> Reporter: THE 10+ DOGS ARE NOT THOSE LOST AND INJURED.

SHE SAYS IT WAS APPARENT FROM THE START THAT THE SHELTERS IN MAUI WOULD QUICKLY BE OVERCAPACITY WITH THOSE ANIMALS THAT FOUND THEMSELVES HOMELESS.

>> WHATEVER PARTNERS NEED THE MOST WHEN WE ASKED THEM WAS SPACE.

THEY ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO BUILD MAKESHIFT KENNELS BECAUSE THEY ARE OUT OF ROOM.

>> Reporter: THE FINAL FLIGHT WILL ARRIVE TONIGHT.

THAT GROUP WILL CONSIST OF FELINES.

FOR NOW THE CANINE ARRIVALS ARE BEING ASSESSED AND GETTING EVERYTHING THEY NEED.

THIS MEMBER OF THE WOODWARD MEDICAL TEAM SAYS GETTING THESE ANIMALS TO SAN DIEGO IS A GROUP EFFORTS.

ALASKA AIRLINES IS LYING THEM HERE FOR FREE.

SHE SAYS WOODWARD IS GETTING FINANCIAL HELP FROM THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION.

THE DOGS AND SOON TO ARRIVE CATS WILL ALL BE HERE UNTIL AT LEAST SEPTEMBER WHEN THEY WILL START TO BE PUT UP FOR ADOPTION.

ON A WALL IN THE LOBBY THERE ARE PLAQUES, TRIBUTES TO OUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS AND THE HELEN WOODWARD SLOGAN: PEOPLE HELPING ANIMALS AND ANIMALS HELPING PEOPLE.

YOU WILL NOTICE THAT IT STARTS AND ENDS WITH US.

PLEASE CONSIDER ADOPTING ONE OF THESE REFUGEES OR ANY ONE OF THE OTHER HUNDREDS OF DOGS AND CATS HERE THAT NEED A LOVING HOME.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST STORIES AT THE START OF 2023 WAS INFLATION, ESPECIALLY FOR EVERYDAY GROCERIES.

HIGH PRICES CAUSE SOME PEOPLE TO LOOK FOR AN ALTERNATIVE.

AND TONYA THORNE SHOWS US HOW IT MADE GOING STRAIGHT TO THE SOURCE.

>> Reporter: HAWTHORNE COUNTRY STORY IS SEEING SOMETHING THEY HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED.

>> WE HAVE NEVER BEEN SOLD OUT OF CHICKENS LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: HEATHER THELEN HOLMES -- OWNS A STORE AND SAYS USUALLY DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR THERE PENS AVAILABLE CHICKENS.

>> WE ARE GETTING CALLS EVERY DAY ASKING DO YOU HAVE CHICKENS?

DO YOU HAVE CHICKENS THAT ARE READY TO LAY?

WE ARE LIKE NO, YOU HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH AT THIS POINT .

>> Reporter: THE AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK IS NOT ONLY IMPACTING EGG PRICES, BUT SUPPLIES THE CHICKENS AS WELL.

FEED STORES ARE ONLY GETTING THE CHECKS RIGHT NOW.

THEY WON'T BE READY TO LAY EGGS FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS.

BUT SHE SAYS THAT IS NOT TURNING PEOPLE AWAY.

EVEN THE BABY CHICKS ARE BEING SOLD RIGHT AWAY.

>> MAGICALLY THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT GOES INTO HAVING THESE SELF-SUPPORTING FOOD SOURCES IS A LITTLE MORE WORTH IT RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE PEOPLE REALLY REAPING THE BENEFITS ARE THE ONES THAT GOT PANDEMIC CHICKENS.

'S >> DURING: A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT CHICKENS.

I THINK THOSE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY.

THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN GOING THIS IS TOO MUCH WORK OR I HAVE HAD SOME ATTRITION.

I DO NOT KNOW IF I WANT TO ADD NEW BABIES.

NOW THEY ARE LIKE MAYBE I DO.

>> Reporter: SHE ADMITS CHICKENS ARE A COMMITMENT, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HELP WITH THE JOB.

LIKE ALLISON ANDREWS CANCER, THE OWNER OF A CHICKEN COOP CLEANING COMPANY.

>> AS LONG AS YOU KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE OR HIRE SOMEBODY TO DO IT FOR YOU, THEN THEY ARE WONDERFUL ADDITIONS TO HAVE.

THEY ARE GREAT IF YOU HAVE SMALL KIDS.

IF YOU ARE A FAILURE AT HOME THEY ARE A LOVELY COMPANION.

THERE IS NOTHING BETTER IN MY OPINION THE COMING OUT ON A SUNNY DAY IN SAN DIEGO AND HAVING A CUP OF COFFEE WITH YOUR FLOCK.

>> HER CLIENT DID NOT WANT TO APPEAR ON CAMERA BECAUSE THERE HOAS DOES NOT ALLOW CHICKENS IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THE HOMEOWNER SAYS THE CHICKENS HAVE BEEN A GREAT HOBBY FOR THEIR ELDERLY DAD.

POPULAR DURING FAMILY PARTIES AND IN MICE INVESTMENT WITH THE RECENT HIGH EGG PRICES.

ANDREW SAYS THE AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK HIGHLIGHTS HOW IMPORTANT CLEANLINESS IS FOR A FOOD SOURCE.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS IF YOU DO HAVE BACKYARD CHICKENS YOU NEED TO BE MINDFUL THAT CLEANLINESS IS A BIG DEAL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE LITTLE ONES AT HOME.

>> SHOULD RECOMMEND SETTING UP A HANDWASHING STATION AND DEDICATE ISSUES WHEN HANDLING THE CHICKENS.

>> THE BEST PARTIES THAT PAY RENT WITH EGGS.

AND RIGHT NOW WE KNOW THAT IS A HUGE VALUE.

>> Reporter: THE OTHER VALUE IS THE TASTE OF YOUR OWN HOME GROWN EGGS.

>> THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN KNOWING WHAT YOU FEED YOUR FLOCK COMES DIRECTLY BACK ON YOUR PLATE.

I WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU HAVE HAD YOUR OWN EGGS FROM YOUR GIRLS THERE IS NOTHING THAT COMPARES POINT >> Reporter: TO HELP WITH THE RECENT INTEREST HAWTHORNE COUNTRY STORE IS HOLDING CHICKEN 101 COURSES IN FEBRUARY.

>>> FOR GENERATION Xer FOR HAS BEEN WORN ON COLLARS AND COLDS AND THEY HAVE BEEN PORTRAYED AS SLY AN I.V.

-- AND CONNIVING.

A RESCUE SANCTUARY WANT TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT FOXES HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO SHARE AND PUTTING THEIR POTENTIAL LIFE-SAVING SKILLS.

>> Reporter: THE STILLNESS ON THIS HILLTOP DOES NOT LAST LONG AS THE SOUND OF WOODLAND CREATURES PROVIDE NATURES CONCERT.

THEIR HOME IS THE STUDENT -- THE WORK BEING DONE HERE COULD BE GROUNDBREAKING.

SHE IS TRAINING FOXES TO DO NOSE WORK, DETECTING SPECIFIC ORDERS.

>> HE MADE A U-TURN BECAUSE HE SMELLED THE ODOR AND NOW HE'S LOOKS -- HE LOOKS FOR HIS REWARD.

>> I LIKE EVEN THE BEST TRAINED DOGS THESE FOXES HAVE A UNIQUE TALENT THAT COULD ONE DAY SAVE LIVES.

THESE ARE NO ORDINARY FOXES.

THESE ARE RUSSIAN DOMESTICATED FOXES.

AMY AND DAVE BASSETT CARE FOR 14 OF THEM BROUGHT OVER FROM RUSSIA 10 YEARS AGO.

>> AT THAT POINT NO ONE HAD EVER BROUGHT INTO THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: THE FOXES WERE A PART OF THE RUSSIAN DOMESTICATED DOGS PROGRAM STARTED BY SOVIET SCIENTIST IN THE 1950s.

HIS GOAL WAS TO RE-CREATE THE EVOLUTION OF WOLF TO DOMESTICATED DOG.

A PROCESS THAT TOOK THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

WITH FOXES HE WANTED TO DO IT IN A MATTER OF DECADES.

THE PROGRAM HAS SEEN MUCH SUCCESS.

>> THEY BREED ONLY THE MOST FRIENDLY AND THEN THEY DO THE SAME THING THE NEXT GENERATION YEAR AFTER YEAR AND THEN THEY GOT ABOUT 10 AND DURATIONS -- AFTER ABOUT 10 GENERATIONS THEY WERE GETTING MORE FRIENDLY.

>> UNLIKE A WILD FOX THESE DOMESTICATED FOXES ARE NOT TIMID , DO NOT KEEP A SLIGHT DISTANCE AND RESEMBLE THE BEHAVIOR OF HUMAN LOVING DOGS.

THEY ARE HAPPY TO SEE US AND EVEN BE -- ENJOY BEING HELD, KISSED, AND TREATED LIKE BABIES.

SO WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?

THE ANSWER LIES IN THE UNIQUE WAY THAT A FOX HUNTS.

>> YOU SEE THEIR EARS GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THEY HONE IN AND THEY JUMP IN THE AIR, SPIN AROUND AND HIT THE SNOW NOSE FIRST.

THEY DID DOWN THREE FEET AND COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF RODENT IN THEIR MOUTH.

THEIR HEARING IS ATTUNED TO HEARING THE FREQUENCIES OF THINGS UNDER THE SNOW.

>> WHILE THEIR NOSES ARE SENSITIVE AND HEARING EXTRAORDINARY IT IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT SEEMINGLY SET THEM APART.

IT IS A TRAIT WHEREBY THEY CAN SEE THE MAGNETIC FIELD OF THE EARTH AND ALIGN THEIR BODIES FOR PRECISION.

>> SO WE THOUGHT THAT WORKS PERFECT FOR AVALANCHE RESCUE.

>> WE CAN TRAIN THEM TO DO SEARCH AND RESCUE AND AVALANCHE RESCUE, BOILER PEOPLE SEE THEM IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT.

>> THEY SAY TOO MANY SEE THEM AS ANIMALS TO BE KILLED FOR THEIR FUR OR SPORT.

THEY WANT THEM TO BE SEEN AS CREATURES WITH A POSITIVE PURPOSE.

>> IF WE HAVE THEM SEEN AS SAVERS, YOU CAN IMAGINE GOING INTO AN EARTHQUAKE.

SOMEBODY COMES DOWN OFF OF A HELICOPTER WITH SIX BOXES STRAPPED ALL AROUND THEM, SHOWING PEOPLE THEIR SKILL SET IN FINDING THINGS UNDERNEATH THE GROUND.

I THINK THAT IT WILL GIVE PEOPLE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

>> Reporter: PREFER THEIR BIOLOGICAL AND GEOPOLITICAL CHALLENGES.

THE RUSSIAN PROGRAM WAS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY THE NIH.

SINCE THE INVASION OF UKRAINE THOSE TIES HAVE BEEN CUT.

THIS MEANS AT LEAST FOR NOW NUMBER FOXES CAN BE IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES.

>> THERE ARE NO OTHER POPULATIONS.

IF THEY GO EXTINCT THEY ARE THEY ARE EXTINCT.

>> THE BASSES SAY THEY ARE CONSIDERED A OBJECT OF PRIDE.

EACH ONE IS STERILIZED TO ENCOURAGE -- DISCOURAGE ANY BREEDING OUTSIDE OF THE PROGRAM.

EVEN THROUGH GENERATIONS ONE LITTLE GENETIC HURDLE REMAINS.

THE FOX CURIOUS AND MISCHIEVOUS NATURE STANDS TRUE.

SINCE THEY DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RECALL OF STOCKS THEY SAY RELEASING THEM TO RESCUE PEOPLE AT THIS POINT IT'S A DICEY PROPOSITION.

>> THEY MAY RUN UPON YOUR PEOPLE, THEN THEY WILL NOW WHERE GOING TO GO AND LOOK FOR MICE.

SEE YOU LATER.

>> HE SAYS THE KEY IS TO TRAIN THEM AS YOUNG PUPS.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THEY WILL GET ACCESS TO PUBS ANYTIME SOON.

EVEN SO, THEY ARE HOLDING OUT HOPE THAT WE COULD ONE DAY SEE THESE ANIMALS SAVING HUMAN LIVES.

>> PEOPLE SAY YOU CANNOT TEACH A FOX TO DO SEARCH AND RESCUE AND WE SAY JUST WATCH.

A MINUTE HAPPENED TODAY OR TOMORROW, BUT WE HAVEN'T GIVEN UP.

>> THEY ADDED OWNING A PET FOXES ILLEGAL IN MOST STATES AND THAT INCLUDES CALIFORNIA.

>>> SOME OF OUR LOCAL DOGS ARE NOT JUST A PET, THEY ALSO HAVE A JOB TO DO.

THE CLASS OF 2023 INCLUDED SOME SPECIAL GRASS DOING SOME LIFE- CHANGING WORK.

TONYA THE WARRANT HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS OASIS, SHE IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD.

ON FRIDAY SHE GRADUATED WITH A CANINE COMPANION 2023 CLASS.

NOT ONLY DID OASIS GRADUATE, BUT SHE GOT TO BEGIN HER LIFELONG JOB OF HELPING.

>> HI, THIS IS JASON AND NANCY AND THIS IS OASIS.

>> THE SERVICE DOGS LIKE OASIS ARE RAISED BY VOLUNTEER PUPPY RAISERS.

BEFORE BEGINNING TRAINING TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY.

>> HAVING ONE OF THESE DOGS BRIDGES SOCIAL GAPS AND SHOWS THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY ARE MORE THAN A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY.

THEY ARE A PERSON WITH A DOG.

WE GIVE THE DOGS ENRICHMENT, SOCIALIZATION, TEACH THEM SKILLS AND TASKS.

>> Reporter: THEN THEY ARE MATCHED WITH A FOREVER PARTNER.

>> WE LOOK AT WHAT THE RECIPIENT NEEDS AND WHAT THE DOG IS CAPABLE OF AND WHAT THEIR NATURAL ABILITIES ARE.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE THINGS OASIS WILL HELP WITH OUR PICKING THINGS UP ON THE GROUND AND HELPING WITH DOORS.

>> THE BEST THING THAT SHE DOES FOR US, WHILE WE ARE OUT IN PUBLIC SHE MAKES A WHEELCHAIR DISAPPEAR.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO COME UP AND SAY HELLO.

>> THIS IS JASON'S THIRD COMPANION.

EVERY TIME THE EXPERIENCE IS LIFE-CHANGING.

>> JASON SAYS SHE IS VERY AFFECTIONATE AND LOVES TO GIVE HIM KISSES.

>> TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> DOGS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WELL.

SOME OF THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM A TRAINING EVENT AT THE DELMAR FAIRGROUNDS.

>> Reporter: SQUEAKY TOY THAN A TON OF SNIFFY.

DON'T LET THESE DOGS FULL YOU, THEY ARE ACTUALLY ON THE CLOCK IN TRAINING WITH THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES.

>> THE PROCESS BEHIND ME CONSISTS OF 30 SEARCH CONTAINERS.

OUT OF THOSE 3010 CONTAIN DIFFERENT EXPLOSIVES.

436 CANINE TEAMS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TOOK PART INCLUDING BARNEY AND HIS PARTNER .

>> WE SPEND THREE MONTHS TRAINING WITH THE DOG INITIALLY.

RIGHT FROM DAY ONE WE KIND OF DEVELOP A BOND.

AT THIS POINT HE IS MY DOG.

HE IS MY BUDDY.

>> Reporter: DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE THE EXPLOSIVES ARE?

IF HE DOES.

>> Reporter: TO SHOW OFF HIS SKILLS BARNEY PERFORMED A SPECIAL SEARCH FOR US.

>> HE IS AN EXCELLENT DOG.

WE WILL GO OUT ON A SEARCH WARRANT OR WHATEVER WE ARE CALLED TO DO AND HE IS VERY RELIABLE.

>> Reporter: IT TAKES CONSISTENCY, WHICH IS WHY THESE TRAININGS ARE MANDATORY.

ALL OF THESE CANINES ARE CERTIFIED AND IN SERVICE.

IF YOU HAVE DOG TEAMS THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING FEDERAL BUILDINGS.

YOU HAVE TEAMS USE FOR KEEPING THE TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENT SAFE.

YOU HAVE DOG TEAMS USE FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.

>> Reporter: LIKE ANY OTHER EMPLOYEES, ALL OF THESE CANINES WILL RETURN HOME AFTER AN INTENSE DAY OF TRAINING OR WORK TO THEIR FAMILIES TO JUST BE DOGS.

>> HE IS A GOOFY BOY.

WHEN HE IS WORKING, HE IS GREAT.

HE DOES WHAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO DO.

HE IS AN EXCELLENT DOG WITH AN EXCELLENT NOSE.

WHEN HE IS OFF DUTY, HE IS JUST LIKE A NORMAL DOG.

>> CHARLOTTE RADULOVICH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES IS ABOUT OUR LOCAL BAT POPULATION.

THOMAS FUDGE TELLS US ABOUT THE FLYING MAMMALS THAT CALL SAN DIEGO HOME.

>> Reporter: NATALIE STANDS ON THE EDGE OF THE SAN DIEGO RIVER IN MISSION VALLEY AS SHE DESCRIBES THE BAT WALKS THE SAN DIEGO RIVER FOUNDATION HOSTS EVERY SPRING AND SUMMER.

THE WEATHER AND THE INSECTS THAT COME WITH IT HAVE BROUGHT THE BATS OUT OF THEIR HIBERNATION.

ONE COOL THING ABOUT BATS, THEN NAVIGATE AND HUNT USING ECHOLOCATION, WHERE THEIR HIGH- PITCHED SQUEAK BOUNCES OFF OF BUGS IN THEIR PATH.

>> IS LIKE STANDING IN A CANYON AND SAN MARCO AND HEARING IT BACK, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE BAT IS DOING.

THEY ARE SENDING OUT A FREQUENCY .

BASED ON WHAT THEY GET BACK THEY CAN TELL HOW FAR AWAY THAT BUG IS POINT >> Reporter: AS LIVE ALL OVER SAN DIEGO AND ARE FOND OF ROOSTING UNDER FREEWAY BRIDGES.

SAN DIEGO THAT WALKS A VERY POPULAR.

IN FACT SHE SAYS THEY HAD TO CAP ATTENDANCE.

BATS SQUEEZED BETWEEN TILES FOR COVER AS PART OF THEIR URBAN HABITAT.

SHE SAYS HER GROUP WANTS TO HELP PEOPLE ENGAGE WITH BATS.

>> ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE OFFER IS WE ARE SCOUTS TO DESIGN AND BUILD BAT BOXES.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THOSE IS 17- YEAR-OLD THAI CASTLE.

HE BUILT SIX, THREE ARE NOW INSTALLED THE SAN DIEGO RIVER EDGE.

HE SAYS THE BOX GIVES THE ANIMAL A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE IN THAT AREA.

A BAT BOX LOOKS LIKE A LARGE BIRDHOUSE WITH ENTRY/BELOW.

WHEN ASKED WHY HE BECAME INTERESTED, CASTLE EXPLAINED IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE BATS.

>> THEY ARE MAMMALS THAT CAN BLOCK.

OFTENTIMES WE GET CAUGHT UP IN THE FANTASY OF FLYING AND IT SEEMS OFTENTIMES VERY MYSTICAL.

BEING ABLE TO HAVE THAT SUPERPOWER.

>> Reporter: THEN THERE IS THE CREEPY GOTHIC LEARNER.

>> BEYOND BATMAN THERE IS A LOT OF WITCHCRAFT ELEMENTS ARE INVOLVED.

YOU HAVE CHARACTERS LIKE DRACULA AND VAMPIRES THAT CAN TURN INTO A BAT OR SHAPE SHIFT.

I THINK THOSE ARE CORE ELEMENTS .

>> Reporter: BEFORE SHE CREATED THESE PROGRAMS NATALIE SAYS SHE USED TO BE TERRIFIED.

>> I STILL GET A LITTLE NERVOUS WHEN THEY DIVEBOMB MY HEAD.

I HAVE HER POSSIBLY IT IS BECAUSE I HAVE LIGHT COLORED HAIR AND THE INSECTS REFLECT WELL OFF OF THE HAIR.

THE BATS COME VERY CLOSE TO YOU.

>> Reporter: DON POINTS OUT THE BAT IS NOT AIMING FOR YOUR HEAD.

>> THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF MYTHS LIKE THEY ATTACK YOU.

THEY DON'T.

THAT THEY WILL DRINK YOUR BLOOD , THERE ARE THREE SPECIES OF VAMPIRE BATS, NONE NORTH OF CENTRAL MEXICO.

>> Reporter: HE IS A RETIRED ENGINEER, A SELF-TAUGHT EXPERT AND GUIDE IN MANY LOCAL BAT WALKS.

HE SAYS SAN DIEGO HAS A TERRIFIC BIODIVERSITY.

THERE ARE 45 SPECIES IN NORTH AMERICA AND 22 CAN BE FOUND IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THE GREATEST THREAT, HE SAYS, IS A DEADLY DISEASE CALLED WHITE NOSE SYNDROME SPREADING EAST AND WEST IN NORTH AMERICA.

THAT AND THE HEAVY USE OF PESTICIDES TO KILL THE BATH INSECT PREY.

THE ONLY TRUE DANGER IS RABIES.

LIKE SKUNKS AND RACCOONS THEY CAN BE SENSITIVE TO THE DISEASE.

>> COUNTY HEALTH REQUIRES IF THERE IS HUMAN CONTACT WITH A BAT THE THAT HAS TO BE TESTED FOR RABIES.

THAT IS AN INVASIVE PROCEDURE.

THE BAT HAS TO BE EUTHANIZED AND IT REQUIRES SAMPLING BRAIN TISSUE.

>> Reporter: SO NEVER TOUCH A BAT.

EVEN IF IT IS NOT RABID IT MUST BE CAPTURED AND KILLED.

THEY ARE NATURE'S INSECTICIDE, HELPING TO MAKE SAN DIEGO FAIRLY BUG FREE.

THE BAT POPULATION CAN LITERALLY EAT TONS EVERY NIGHT.

HE SAYS THEY ARE POLLINATORS OF NATIVE PLANTS SUCH AS THE AGAPE.

ALTHOUGH THEY ARE PAST AND ELUSIVE, HE RECALLS ONE INSTANCE WHEN HE CAN'T IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK AND WAS RIDING A BIKE NEAR TWILIGHT.

>> ON THE WAY BACK IT IS AFTER DARK.

I HAVE MY HEADLAMP ON.

NO ONE WAS ON THE ROAD.

I LOOKED TO MY LEFT AND THERE IS A BAD FLYING BASICALLY MY WING MAN, RALPH MY SHOULDER, FOLLOWING ME DOWN THE ROAD.

UNDOUBTEDLY I AM BRINGING UP INSECTS IN THE LIGHT.

>> Reporter: ONE MORE THING, THEY ARE NOT FLYING RODENTS.

THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE CAR AFTER A FAMILY AND VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP TO PRIMATES THAN MICE.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>> YOU CAN FIND SEMI STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ...