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It took less than an hour of searching for bodies in intense heat before the four New Zealand sniffer dogs needed to cool off in Samoan waters.
The Alsatians, their handlers and 11 other police officers who are part of the Specialist Search Unit arrived yesterday on a New Zealand Army aircraft landing at a school in Lalomanu.
After a quick briefing they began trawling through the wreckage in search of human remains.
A group of more than 100 people, including the local police, Queensland search and rescue workers, medics and villagers lined the few hundred metres of the coast of Saleapaga following the dogs working in front of them.
But Zena, Asko, Ice and Jess - all aged between 2 and 6- could take only about 45 minutes of the scorching weather before needing a swim.
But the water was not cold enough and they took refuge under a largepalm tree before resuming theirsearch and then moving to the next village.
They were also working on empty stomachs, having last eaten on Friday, because Alsatians' intestines are prone to twisting and their handlers did not want sickness hampering search efforts.
The police were also keeping an eye out for stray dogs in case of disease, although the sniffer dogs had been vaccinated before they left New Zealand.
The police are expected to resume the search for bodies today and it is not known how long they will need to stay in the country.
How you can help
Pacific Cooperation Foundation
Deposits can be made at at any Westpac branch. All the money raised will go to the Samoan Government
Red Cross
- Make a secure online donation at redcross.org.nz
- Send cheques to the Samoan Red Cross Fund, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
- Call 0900 31 100 to make an automatic $20 donation
- Make a donation at any NZ Red Cross office
ANZ bank
Make a donation at any ANZ bank branch, or donate directly to the ANZ appeal account: 01 1839 0143546 00
Oxfam
- Make a secure online donation at
Oxfam.org.nz
- Phone 0800 400 666 or make an automatic $20 donation by calling 0900 600 20
