Is Wildlife Going to the Dogs? Impacts of Feral and Free-roaming Dogs on Wildlife Populations
2011/02/01 by Julie K. Young, Kirk A. Olson, Richard P. Reading +4 · 383 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · Immunology and Microbiology · #Biology #Carnivore #Ecology #Environmental resource management #Environmental science #Geography #Habitat #Human-Animal Interaction Studies #Outreach #Political science #Predation #Rabies epidemiology and control #Wildlife #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Wildlife conservation #Wildlife management
paper · doi:10.1525/bio.2011.61.2.7
published in BioScience 61(2), 125-132 (Oxford University Press)
openalex publication_date 2011/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/02
Abstract
<it>In human-populated landscapes, dogs (</it>Canis familiaris <it>) 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</it>.
Citations
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