Researchers in Colombia have captured footage of domestic dog attacks on endangered mountain tapirs, highlighting the need for urgent action to protect threatened wildlife. Using camera traps, the team observed two attacks in a protected area of the Central Andes. The images were published in a research paper in Neotropical Biology and Conservation, shedding light on the impact of domestic dogs on species of conservation concern like the mountain tapir.
The study emphasizes the importance of population management and control of domestic dogs inside and around protected areas. Conservation measures such as neutering and vaccination programs have been successful in protecting the clouded tiger cat in the region, and the researchers call for these measures to be extended to protect the mountain tapirs in WILD Campo Alegre and surrounding lands. The lead author of the study, Juan Camilo Cepeda-Duque, warns that domestic dog incursion into protected areas poses a global threat to wildlife that is challenging to mitigate due to social dilemmas surrounding dog populations.
The aggressive behavior of domestic dogs not only threatens the physical wellbeing of mountain tapirs but also impacts their reproductive performance, foraging efficiency, and overall population health. The presence of domestic dogs increases stress, potential disease transmission, and alters habitat use for the tapirs. The researchers found no evidence of juvenile mountain tapirs in their survey, indicating a potential impact on population dynamics.
Locals in the area had previously reported similar attacks by dogs on mountain tapirs and cattle, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue. To address these threats, a new protected area has been established by the NGO WILD Nature Foundation in the Campoalegre Soil Conservation District, aiming to protect the habitat of mountain tapirs and the last remnant populations of the fuerte’s parrot in the region. The reserve is currently implementing a restoration program, planting thousands of trees to recover land previously used for cattle ranching.
The mountain tapir is a globally classified ‘Endangered’ species due to habitat loss and poaching, making it imperative to address the threats posed by domestic dogs. The research team’s observations underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to protect vulnerable wildlife populations. By extending successful conservation efforts from other species to the mountain tapir, it is possible to mitigate the impact of domestic dogs and safeguard the future of these emblematic herbivores in the Andean cloud forest.
