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3 July 2023 Activity range and patterns of free-roaming village dogs in a rural Cambodian village
Rachel Ladd, Paul Meek, Jonathan C. Eames, Luke K.-P. Leung
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Context. Free-roaming dogs are ubiquitous worldwide and pose a threat to wildlife. An understanding of the roaming behaviour of dogs is useful for developing effective management strategies.

Aims. We aimed to assess the activity ranges and patterns of free-roaming dogs in a rural Cambodian village. An adjacent wildlife sanctuary protects populations of threatened species that may be negatively impacted by dogs.

Methods. We used rudimentary hand-made GPS collars to track village dogs and quantify their movements. Activity ranges were calculated for male and female dogs, and the mean distances travelled at night and during the day were determined. Additionally, forays outside of the activity range were characterised.

Key results. We estimated a mean activity range of 178 ± 190 ha and found that dogs typically travelled longer distances at night. Females had significantly smaller activity ranges, as well as covering shorter distances per day. Foray behaviour was variable, with some dogs entering the wildlife sanctuary regularly and others not at all.

Conclusions. Free-roaming Cambodian dog activity overlapped with native mammals in the study site, posing a risk of predation, resource exclusion, harassment and competition of Cambodian species.

Implications. The data suggest that although dogs generally spend the majority of their time within the village, there is significant risk to wildlife. Actions are required to mitigate threats to native wildlife, in particular threatened species such as Eld’s Deer.

Rachel Ladd, Paul Meek, Jonathan C. Eames, and Luke K.-P. Leung "Activity range and patterns of free-roaming village dogs in a rural Cambodian village," Wildlife Research 51(1), (3 July 2023). https://doi.org/10.1071/WR23024
Received: 26 February 2023; Accepted: 9 June 2023; Published: 3 July 2023
KEYWORDS
Activity range
Cambodia
forays
free-roaming dogs
GPS tracking
roaming behaviour
village dogs
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