Is Wildlife Going to the Dogs? Impacts of Feral and Free-Roaming Dogs on Wildlife Populations

• Published in: Bioscience Vol. 61; no. 2; pp. 125 - 132
• Main Authors: Young, Julie K, Olson, Kirk A, Reading, Richard P, Amgalanbaatar, Sukh, Berger, Joel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University of California Press 01.02.2011; American Institute of Biological Sciences; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Animal populations; Canis familiaris; Communicable Diseases; Company distribution practices; Competition; Costs; Disease; Distribution; Dogs; endangered species; Endemic species; Environmental aspects; Feral dogs; global threats; Livestock; Mortality; Native species; Outreach programs; OVERVIEW ARTICLES; population ecology; Predation; Predators; Public awareness; Studies; Wildlife; Wildlife conservation; Wildlife habitats; Wildlife policy; Wildlife population studies; Wildlife studies; Wolves; Mongolia
• ISSN: 0006-3568; 1525-3244
• DOI: 10.1525/bio.2011.61.2.7

In human-populated landscapes, dogs (Canis familiaris) are often the most abundant terrestrial carnivore. However, dogs can significantly disrupt or modify intact ecosystems well beyond the areas occupied by people. Few studies have directly quantified the environmental or economic effects of free-roaming and feral dogs. Here, we review wildlife-dog interactions and provide a case study that focuses on interactions documented from our research in Mongolia to underscore the need for studies designed to best determine how dogs affect native wildlife and especially imperiled populations. We suggest additional research, public awareness campaigns, and the exclusion of dogs from critical wildlife habitat. The application of scientific findings to management and enhanced public outreach programs will not only facilitate recovery and maintenance of wildlife populations globally but also has the potential to reduce economic losses.