Beware of dogs! Domestic animals as a threat for wildlife conservation in Alpine protected areas

• Published in: European journal of wildlife research Vol. 67; no. 4; p. 70
• Main Authors: Costanzi, Liliana, Brambilla, Alice, Di Blasio, Alessia, Dondo, Alessandro, Goria, Maria, Masoero, Loretta, Gennero, Maria Silvia, Bassano, Bruno
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.08.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alps region; Animal behavior; Animals; Beech; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Canine distemper; Canine morbillivirus; conservation areas; Dogs; Domestic animals; Ecology; Endangered & extinct species; Endangered species; Fish & Wildlife Biology & Management; Life Sciences; Livestock; Martes foina; Martes martes; Meles meles; Mustela erminea; National parks; Neospora caninum; Pathogens; Protected areas; Review; Scavenging; Toxoplasma; Vulpes vulpes; wildlife; Wildlife conservation; Zoology; Alps region; Protected areas; Zoonosis; Wild carnivores; Multi-host pathogens; Domestic dogs; Sanitary monitoring
• ISSN: 1612-4642; 1439-0574
• DOI: 10.1007/s10344-021-01510-5

Diseases are natural regulating factors of wildlife populations, but some pathogens may become an important threat in wildlife conservation, especially for endangered species. The presence of domestic animals may foster the spread of diseases in natural population, although their role in the dynamic of infections in wildlife is not clear. In this study, we investigated the presence and prevalence of a range of multi-host pathogens in wild species (red fox, Eurasian badger, beech marten, pine marten, stoat for a total of 89 carcasses analysed) and domestic animals ( n  = 52 shepherd and n  = 25 companion dogs) living in a protected area of the Alps (the Gran Paradiso National Park) and discussed the role of domestic dogs as possible source of infection for wild species. Our results showed that domestic dogs are potential shedder of three important pathogens: Canine distemper virus, Toxoplasma sp. and Neospora caninum . In particular, shepherd dogs seem to represent a threat for wildlife as they are exposed to multiple pathogens because of free-roaming, scavenging lifestyles and close proximity to livestock. However, also companion dogs more subject to veterinary care may foster the spread of pathogens. Our results highlight the importance of regulating the access of domestic dogs to protected areas that aim at preserving biodiversity and enhancing the conservation of endangered species.