Diet of free-ranging domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) in rural Zimbabwe: implications for wild scavengers on the periphery of wildlife reserves

Abstract

Numbers of free-ranging dogs (Canis familiaris) have reached unprecedented levels in Zimbabwean communal lands (agropastoralist rural areas). This study examined the potential competitive interactions between dogs and wild scavengers on the boundary of Gokwe Communal Land (GCL) and the Sengwa Wildlife Research Area (SWRA) in 1995-96. Dietary studies showed that dogs were primarily scavengers of human waste and animal carcasses. Twelve experimental carcasses indicated that dogs were the most successful species in the vertebrate scavenger guild, consuming 60% of available biomass and finding 66.7% of carcasses. Dogs monopolized the supply of domestic animal carrion within GCL, but also consumed wild carrion up to 1 km within the SWRA, and were seen 3 km inside the reserve. Their principal competitors for carcasses were vultures, and to a lesser degree lions (Panthera leo), leopards (P. pardus) and spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta). Dogs outcompete vultures on wildlife reserve boundaries owing to their high densities, nocturnal and diurnal activity, physical dominance and greater tolerance of human disturbance. With a population growth rate of 6.5% per annum the influence of dogs will intensify on the peripheries of reserves, exacerbating their existing threat to wild scavengers. This scenario is probably occurring in many other African countries.

Domestic dogs in rural area of fragmented Atlantic Forest: potential threats to wild animals

“…This behavior has also been reported to be present in other canids (BUTLER & TOIT, 2002). Therefore, the scavenger behavior by one-third of the dogs, as well as, the likely interactions observed with wild mammals of same habits increase the potential risks of physical contact and disease transmission.…”

“…However, the nutritional management is not enough to avoid predation on local fauna. Predation of wildlife by dogs is reported in several circumstances and, hence the presence of dogs in preserved environments can result in reduction of wild species due to competition, predation and disease transmission (MACDONALD & CARR, 1995;BUTLER & TOIT, 2002;HEATON et al, 2008). Owners pointed predation of several mammalian species by rural dogs in Viçosa.…”

“…Only dogs over one year of age were included in this study. Dogs under one-year-old were excluded since their body and behavior are not fully developed as to represent a serious threat to injury wild animals (BUTLER & TOIT, 2002). Completion of data collection included breed and clinical aspects of the dogs as well as photographs from each one.…”

Endoparasites in domestic animals surrounding an Atlantic Forest remnant, in São Paulo State, Brazil

“…In areas with high biodiversity such as Latin America, domestic dogs pose serious risks to native species due to the ease with which they enter the forest, by acting as a reservoir for some infectious diseases and by preying on and competing with wild species (BUTLER & BINGHAM, 2000;BUTLER & DU TOIT, 2002;FIORELLO et al, 2006;GALETTI & SAZIMA, 2006;OLIVEIRA et al, 2008).…”

Barking up the right tree: Understanding local attitudes towards dogs in villages surrounding Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar can benefit applied conservation

“…Dogs may pose a great threat to Madagascar's endemic primates as dog owners use dogs for hunting wildlife, and free-roaming and feral dogs may venture into the forest to hunt on their own. Dogs also threaten lemurs through competition interference, and may transfer zoonotic diseases to endemic primates (Butler and du Toit 2002, Butler et al 2004, Manor and Saltz 2004, Galetti and Sazima 2006, Lenth et al 2008, Lacerda et al 2009, Vanak and Gompper 2009, Young et al 2011. While many dogs that enter Madagascar's forests can be considered to be feral, i.e., unowned and unhabituated to humans, many others are owned by individuals, but are not restrained.…”