The Pyrenean desman, an endangered mammal found in the rivers of the French and Spanish Pyrenees, is facing a serious threat as its habitat continues to shrink. Often referred to as the "trumpet rat," this small, semi-aquatic animal is notoriously hard to spot in the wild. It lives in the dark, fast-moving waters of rivers, using its sensitive, prehensile trunk and webbed hind legs to catch insects. Its elusive nature makes it difficult to study, and scientists often rely on indirect signs, such as droppings or claw marks, to track its presence. Jérôme Lafitte, who manages wildlife conservation efforts in the Pyrenees National Park, notes that since the 1990s, about 40% of the Pyrenean desman’s population has disappeared from its natural range. This decline has raised concerns among conservationists, who are working to better understand the species' needs and how to protect it. Because the desman is so hard to observe directly, researchers have been experimenting with new techniques to detect it more effectively. One promising approach involves the use of trained dogs, which can detect the scent of the Pyrenean desman more reliably than humans. Isabelle De Joantho from Bio's flair, a French organization specializing in animal detection, is helping to develop this method. The hope is that these dogs will help scientists gather more accurate data on the species' current distribution and population size, which is essential for conservation planning. For those interested in learning more about the Pyrenean desman, the documentary On l'appelle aussi rat trompette by Nicolas Cailleret is available on salamandre.tv. Additional information and related content can be found in the Minute Nature series on salamandre.org or through Julien Perrot’s YouTube channel.