Who let the dogs out? Occurrence, population size and daily activity of domestic dogs in an urban Atlantic Forest reserve

A population of approximately 29 domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) was found to be widely distributed within the Tijuca National Park (TNP), one of Brazil's most visited protected areas and part of Rio de Janeiro's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Contrary to expectations, dog presence showed no significant correlation with proximity to paved roads or park boundaries, suggesting a more dispersed distribution across the urban Atlantic Forest reserve. The study, conducted using 42 camera-trap stations over six months in 2016, revealed that dogs were primarily diurnal, with their activity overlapping most with native species like the red humped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) and coati (Nasua nasua). The absence of pups indicated that these dogs likely originate from surrounding areas rather than being a self-sustaining feral population. These findings underscore the need for management strategies that engage local communities to mitigate potential conservation impacts.

Silva, K. V. K. d. A., Kenup, C. F., Kreischer, C., Fernandez, F. A. S., & Pires, A. S. (2018). Who let the dogs out? Occurrence, population size and daily activity of domestic dogs in an urban Atlantic Forest reserve. Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation, 16(4), 228–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecon.2018.09.001