New records of domestic dog negative impacts on native vertebrates in the Ecuadorian Andes

Abstract

Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) significantly threaten endangered vertebrates world-wide. In this study, we report 11 documented cases of dogs chasing, harassing, competing for food resources, biting, and killing six native vertebrate species in the Ecuadorian Andes: Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), little red brocket deer (Mazama rufina), Andean fox (Lycalopex culpaeus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and Andean tapeti (Sylvilagus andinus). Dog attacks on wildlife can lead to mortality through direct injury and by transmitting diseases, potentially threatening the conservation of globally endangered species such as the Andean condor, mountain tapir, and little red brocket deer. Effective management and conservation of native vertebrates in Andean ecosystems require a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted impacts of dogs on wildlife populations. These impacts include direct attacks, disease transmission, fear-induced behavioral changes, competition for food resources, and conflicts with local farmers, which may inadvertently lead to wildlife poisoning.