Canis lupus (mammal)

Ecology Distribution Management Info Impact Info References and Links Contacts

General Impact In Israel, free-ranging feral dogs are a major threat to populations of endangered mountain gazelles (see Gazella gazella ssp. gazella in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (Manor and Salz, 2004). Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is thought to have caused several fatal epidemics within the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in East Africa. The source of the CDV was probably domestic dogs in the local villages surrounding the park. The canids affected included silver-backed jackals (Canis mmesomelas) and bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis) in 1978 and endangered African wild dogs (see Lycaon pictus in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) in 1991. The Serengeti lion population (see Panthera leo in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) which remained unaffected during these two epidemics was hit by an epidemic in early 1994, caused by a morbillivirus which is closely related to CDV. Later that year the epidemic had spread north to lions, hyenas, bat-eared foxes and leopards in the Maasi Mara National reserve. This epidemic claimed at least 30% of the lion population (estimated at 3000 in Serengeti at that time). It is suggested that the possible route of transmission from domestic dogs was the spotted hyena that range through human habitation and travel long distances within the park (Roelke-Parker et al. 1996). Uncontrolled domestic dogs can be equally as damaging as truly feral animals. In New Zealand, during study of kiwi (see Apteryx australis; Apteryx haastii; Apteryx mantelli; and Apteryx owenii in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) in a Northland forest, the loss of 13 out of 23 kiwi fitted with transmitters was found to be the result of predation by one German shepherd dog. It was estimated that this single dog alone had killed 500 out of 900 birds, although this estimate was considered to be possibly conservative (Taborsky 1988). Seabirds and mammals are included among the prey taken by feral dogs (e.g. Dickman, 1996, Stevenson and Woelher, 2007).          Location Specific Impacts: Anguilla   Reduction in native biodiversity: Canis lupus also predates on ground nesting birds (Perez and Bensusan, undated in Varnham, 2006). Threat to endangered species: Canis lupus is listed as one of the major predators of the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' Anegada Is. rock iguana (see Cyclura pinguis in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and the 'Vulnerable (VU)' lesser Antillean iguana (see Iguana delicatissima in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (Gerber, 1997). Australia   Disease transmission: Wild dogs are believed to spread hyatid tapeworms; the cysts of which are a risk to human health, and cause lost production in cattle and sheep due to hydatidosis. Wild dogs are also a reservoir for heartworm diseases and dog viruses such as parvovirus. Economic/Livelihoods: Predation and harassment of stock by wild dogs causes millions of dollars worth of losses to Australian sheep, cattle and goat producers each year. There are also opportunity costs in areas where sheep are not grazed because of the high risk of wild dog predation (Fleming et al 2001). Wild dogs eat a wide range of foods from insects to cattle, prefering medium to large sized mammals. Cattle and kangaroos are hunted by large groups of dogs, whereas solitary dogs tend to hunt rabbits and small macropods (Lapidge et al 2004-). Hybridisation: Hybridisation with domestic dogs is seen as the greatest threat to the survival of the dingo as a protected sub species. Though the dingo is said to have originated in Asia, most State and Commonwealth legislation consider the dingo to be a native Australian mammal (Lapidge et al 2004). Predation: The Baw Baw frog (Philoria frosti) is listed as 'Critically Endangered (CR) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Native to Australia it is restricted to the Baw Baw plateau east of Melbourne. There is a deficiency of information in relation to demography and population dynamics of this species. Climate change impacts, pathogens such as the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis); Willow (Salix cinerea), cattle (Bos taurus), rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), dogs (Canis lupus) and cats (Felis catus) have been identified as invasive species that might be impacting the species (Hero et al 2004). Anegada Is. (British Virgin Islands)   Threat to endangered species: Canis lupus is listed as one of the major predators of native iguanas e.g. the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' Anegada Is. rock iguana (see Cyclura pinguis in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (Mitchell et al., 2002). Cayman Brac (Cayman Islands)   Reduction in native biodiversity: Canis lupus also predates on ground nesting birds (Perez and Bensusan, undated in Varnham, 2006). Threat to endangered species: Canis lupus is the major cause of decline in 'Critically Endangered (CR)' endemic Cayman island ground iguana (see Cyclura lewisi in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) populations on Grand Cayman, and the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' Lesser Cayman iguana (see Cyclura nubila ssp. caymanensis in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) on Cayman Brac (Echternacht and Burton, 2002 in Varnham, 2006). Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands)   Reduction in native biodiversity: Canis lupus also predates on ground nesting birds (Perez and Bensusan, undated in Varnham, 2006). Threat to endangered species: Canis lupus is the major cause of decline in 'Critically Endangered (CR)' endemic Cayman island ground iguana (see Cyclura lewisi in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) populations on Grand Cayman, and the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' Lesser Cayman iguana (see Cyclura nubila ssp. caymanensis in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) on Cayman Brac (Echternacht and Burton, 2002 in Varnham, 2006). Little Cayman (Cayman Islands)   Reduction in native biodiversity: Canis lupus also predates on ground nesting birds (Perez and Bensusan, undated in Varnham, 2006). Threat to endangered species: Canis lupus is the major cause of decline in 'Critically Endangered (CR)' endemic Cayman island ground iguana (see Cyclura lewisi in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) populations on Grand Cayman, and the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' Lesser Cayman iguana (see Cyclura nubila ssp. caymanensis in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) on Cayman Brac (Echternacht and Burton, 2002 in Varnham, 2006). Isabela Is. (Ecuador) (Ecuador)   Predation: Remains of boobies and shearwaters were found in the stomachs and droppings of dogs on Isla Isabela, Galápagos group, by Barnett (1982). French Guiana     Threat to endangered species: The biggest problem comes from the impacts of dogs on populations of marine turtles, including the olive turtle which is classified as endangered and particularly fragile by the IUCN (see Lepidochelys olivacea in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). Harm is caused to females coming to nest on the beaches and especially to eggs and juveniles. Germany   Predation: Dogs kill native deer species, such as the roe deer, and other introduced species. Madagascar   Competition: Populations of the 'Near Threatened (NT)' Malagasy Civet (see Fossa fossana) and the Malagasy Broad-striped Mongoose (see Galidictis fasciata) are in decline due to a combination of threats- loss of habitat; hunting; competition with feral carnivores like the introduced small Indian civet, dogs (Canis lupus) and cats (Felis catus) as well as predation by dogs (Hawkins 2008a, c) The 'Least Concern (LC)' Malagasy Ring-tailed Mongoose (see Galidia elegans) is under threat in some parts of its range due to competition with other feral carnivores like the introduced small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), dogs and cats; and also due to predation by dogs (Hawkins 2008b) Predation: Populations of the 'Near Threatened (NT)' Malagasy Civet (see Fossa fossana) and the Malagasy Broad-striped Mongoose (see Galidictis fasciata) are in decline due to a combination of threats- loss of habitat; hunting; competition with feral carnivores like the introduced small Indian civet, dogs (Canis lupus) and cats (Felis catus) as well as predation by dogs (Hawkins 2008a, c) The 'Least Concern (LC)' Malagasy Ring-tailed Mongoose (see Galidia elegans) is under threat in some parts of its range due to competition with other feral carnivores like the introduced small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), dogs and cats; and also due to predation by dogs (Hawkins 2008b) New Caledonia (Nouvelle Calédonie)     Threat to endangered species: In New Caledonia, the impact of dogs on the Kagu (see Rhynochetos jubatus in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) has been established (Hunt et al. 1996). The dog is also suspected of having contributed to the extinction of the New Caledonian rail (see Gallirallus lafresnayanus in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (Chartendrault et al., in press). Tinian Is. (Northern Mariana Islands)   Predation Saint Helena   Reduction in native biodiversity: Canis lupus ex Canis familiaris may predate on the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' endemic wirebird's (see Charadrius sanctaehelenae in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) chicks and eggs (McCulloch and Norris, undated in Varnham, 2006). Pine Cay (Turks and Caicos Islands)   Threat to endangered species: Canis lupus ex Canis familiaris are known to predate on the native 'Critically Endangered (CR)' Turks & Caicos rock iguana (see Cyclura carinata in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (Mitchell et al., 2002 in Varnham, 2006). On Pine Cay in the 1970s a small number of dogs systematically killed a large number of iguanas (Iverson, 1978 in Varnham, 2006). Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos Islands)   Threat to endangered species: Canis lupus ex Canis familiaris are known to predate on the native 'Critically Endangered (CR)' Turks & Caicos rock iguana (see Cyclura carinata in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (Mitchell et al., 2002 in Varnham, 2006). Turks and Caicos Islands   Threat to endangered species: Canis lupus ex Canis familiaris are known to predate on the native 'Critically Endangered (CR)' Turks & Caicos rock iguana (see Cyclura carinata in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (Mitchell et al., 2002 in Varnham, 2006). Hawaiian Islands (United States (USA))   Predation: Sincock and Swedberg (1969) found Newell’s shearwaters (see Puffinus newelli in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) were subject to predation by dogs.