Guardian dogs protect sheep by guarding sheep, not by establishing territories and excluding predators

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee R. Allen ◽  
Ninian Stewart-Moore ◽  
Damian Byrne ◽  
Benjamin L. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Home Ranges ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Scale Interaction ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Husbandry Practices ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
Free Ranging

Guardian animals have been a common non-lethal method for reducing predator impacts on livestock for centuries in Europe. But elsewhere, livestock producers sometimes doubt whether such methods work or are compatible with modern livestock husbandry practices in extensive grazing systems. In this study we evaluate the hypothesis that guardian dogs primarily ‘work’ by establishing and defending territories from which canid predators are excluded. Eight maremmas and six free-ranging wild dogs of different sexes were fitted with GPS collars and monitored for 7 months on a large sheep property in north Queensland, Australia. Wild dog incursions into the territories of adjacent wild dogs and maremmas were recorded. Wild dog territories never overlapped and their home ranges infrequently overlapped. In contrast, 713 hourly locations from 120 wild dog incursions into maremma territories were recorded, mostly from three wild dogs. These three wild dogs spent a mean of 2.5–5.9 h inside maremma territories during incursions. At this location, maremmas worked by guarding sheep and prohibiting fine-scale interaction between wild dogs and sheep, not by establishing a territory respected by wild dogs. We conclude that shepherding behaviour and boisterous vocalisations of guardian dogs combined with the flocking behaviour of sheep circumvents attacks on sheep but does not prevent nor discourage wild dogs from foraging in close proximity. Certain husbandry practices and the behaviour of sheep at parturition may incur greater predation risk.

Comparing grazing and resting electivity of beef cattle for BC bunchgrass communities using GPS collars

2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-507
Author(s):  
D. J. Thompson ◽  
B. J. Wheatley ◽  
J. S. Church ◽  
R. Newman ◽  
J. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Community Area ◽  
Riparian Grassland ◽  
Free Ranging

Thompson, D., Wheatley, B. J., Church, J. S., Newman, R. and Walker, J. 2015. Comparing grazing and resting electivity of beef cattle for BC bunchgrass communities using GPS collars. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 499–507. Grasslands in the interior of British Columbia often contain a mosaic of plant communities that provide variable habitat for free-ranging cattle. Global positioning system (GPS) collars have been used to study natural habitat use by cattle on a coarse scale (such as riparian, grassland and forested habitats), but not on a fine scale (such as choice among grassland plant communities). Cows equipped with GPS collars were tracked during the spring grazing period for 4 yr. Six grassland pastures were used as replicates. The activity (grazing or resting) of cattle at GPS locations was classified using a distance travelled algorithm. A detailed plant community map of five plant community types was constructed, and cow relative use within the plant communities was determined. Electivity, which scales for differences in community area, was used to compare the use of plant communities. While grazing, electivity for the Kentucky bluegrass community (mean +0.3) was greater than for the bluebunch wheatgrass community (mean −0.2). While resting, these differences were more pronounced. GPS collars can be used to estimate fine-scale choices among grassland communities.

Movements and habitat selection by wild dogs in eastern Victoria

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Robley ◽  
Andrew Gormley ◽  
David M. Forsyth ◽  
Alan N. Wilton ◽  
Danielle Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs

To investigate movements and habitat selection by wild dogs we attached satellite-linked global positioning system (GPS) units to nine wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo and Canis lupus familiaris) captured in eastern Victoria in summer 2007. Units estimated locations at 30-min intervals for the first six months and then at 480-min intervals for six more months. DNA testing revealed all these wild dogs to be related. Home ranges of males were almost three times larger than those of females (males: 124.3 km2 ± 56.3, n = 4; females: 45.2 km2 ± 17.3, n = 5) and both sexes preferred subalpine grassland, shrub or woodland at the landscape and home-range scales. Wild dogs were recorded more often than expected within 25 m of roads and less often than expected within 25 m of watercourses. Wild dogs displayed higher-velocity movements with shallow turning angles (generally forwards) that connected spatial and temporal clusters comprising slower-velocity, shorter, and sharper turning movements. One wild dog travelled 230 km in 9 days before returning to its home range and another travelled 105 km in 87 days. The home-range sizes reported in this study are much larger than previously reported in south-eastern Australia. This finding, together with previous studies, suggests that the spatial scale at which wild dog management occurs needs to be reconsidered.

Managing the ranging behaviour of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) using translocated scent marks

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig R. Jackson ◽  
J. Weldon McNutt ◽  
Peter J. Apps
Keyword(s):  
Protected Area ◽  
Scent Mark ◽  
Scent Marks ◽  
Lycaon Pictus ◽  
Ranging Behaviour ◽  
African Wild Dogs ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
Free Ranging

Context Conflict between large carnivores and livestock outside the boundaries of wildlife areas frequently results in losses to both livestock and predator populations. The endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus Temminck, 1820) is wide ranging and unrestricted by conventional fences, thereby posing a major challenge to conservation managers. Wild dogs are territorial and communicate residence using scent marks. Simulating the presence of other wild dogs using translocated foreign scent marks may therefore represent a means to manage wild dog ranging behaviour. Aims To investigate the effectiveness of using targeted scent-mark deployments to signal a wild dog pack to return to their frequented range within the safety of a protected area. Methods We report on the ranging behaviour of a wild dog pack reintroduced into a wildlife area in Botswana with no recent history of resident wild dogs. We describe daily movements by the free-ranging introduced pack and compare these to moves following targeted deployment of scent marks when the wild dog pack had ranged close to or outside the boundaries of the protected area. Key results Targeted foreign scent-mark exposure resulted in the pack moving closer to the geometric centre of its range. The mean distance travelled the day after exposure was significantly greater than the distance travelled the previous day and the mean daily distance moved during the study period. Conclusions Targeted exposure to foreign scent marks proved to be a viable alternative to recapturing dogs that had ranged beyond the boundaries of the wildlife area. Implications This novel approach to managing free-ranging carnivores utilises biologically relevant signals and holds potential not only for the conservation of African wild dogs, but also for other territorial species.

What to call a dog? A review of the common names for Australian free-ranging dogs

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Kreplins ◽  
A. Gaynor ◽  
M. S. Kennedy ◽  
C. M. Baudains ◽  
P. Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Livestock Production ◽  
Scaling Analysis ◽  
Mesopredator Release ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
The Common ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
Free Ranging

Wildlife research is informed by human values and interests, and these are reflected in, and reinforced by, the language used to describe particular species and animals. Examining factors that influence the use of common names of contentious taxa such free-ranging dogs is important, as naming can influence the design and reception of scientific studies. There are a range of common names for free-ranging dogs in Australian scientific literature but the most common names are ‘dingoes’ and ‘wild dogs’. This review investigated influences on the terminology used to describe Australian free-ranging dogs in scientific studies from October 1952 to January 2018. Using a multidimensional scaling analysis, we tested the effects of several potential factors on terminology around Australian free-ranging dogs. We found a significant correlation between studies that reported on ‘wild dog’ control within livestock production–focussed papers and the use of the term ‘dingo’ and discussion of mesopredator release in conservation-related papers. There was a bias associated with author employment, with studies funded by a livestock production organisation more likely to employ ‘wild dog’ terminology. Year of publication and dingo purity within the locale of the study made a lesser contribution to differences in terminology. Our study explores the contextual factors that influence the choice of common names in scientific papers. Although referring to the same species, this review highlights that common terminology within scientific papers is reliant on the discussion of mesopredators release, control programs and the paper’s context.

scholarly journals Effect of activity states on habitat selection by black-tailed deer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Bose ◽  
TD Forrester ◽  
DS Casady ◽  
Heiko Wittmer
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Scale Selection ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Selection For

© The Wildlife Society, 2018 Habitat selection is a complex hierarchical process and in ungulates typically varies at broad spatial and temporal scales and among individuals. Recent advancements in the ability of global positioning system (GPS)-collars to collect activity data provide opportunities to understand underlying mechanisms or trade-offs responsible for fine-scale variation in habitat selection. Based on data from 64 female black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) fitted with GPS-collars in northern California, USA, between 2004 and 2013, we first investigated habitat selection at the home range scale. We then used data from a subset of 27 individuals to determine if habitat selection within home ranges was influenced by activity states (active or inactive). Habitat selection by black-tailed deer varied between summer and winter and was mostly explained by differences in elevation, terrain, and vegetation. Within their home ranges, black-tailed deer showed fine-scale selection for habitats that varied with activity states. In summer, selection for edge density and forest types varied across activity states highlighting important fine-scale selection patterns. Activity state also affected our conclusions about the selection of habitats including slope, canopy cover, and forest types by black-tailed deer in winter. During both seasons, deer selected for apparently secure habitat when inactive, likely to minimize risk of predation. These results highlight the importance of considering activity states when evaluating habitat selection from animal location data. This is particularly important in multi-use landscapes such as national forests where habitat needs of ungulates are important considerations in management decisions, including timber harvest. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

scholarly journals An Infectious Disease and Mortality Survey in a Population of Free-Ranging African Wild Dogs and Sympatric Domestic Dogs

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Flacke ◽  
P. Becker ◽  
D. Cooper ◽  
M. Szykman Gunther ◽  
I. Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rabies Virus ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Domestic Dogs ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
African Wild Dogs ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Mortality Survey ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
Free Ranging

Disease can cause declines in wildlife populations and significantly threaten their survival. Recent expansion of human and domestic animal populations has made wildlife more susceptible to transmission of pathogens from domestic animal hosts. We conducted a pathogen surveillance and mortality survey for the population of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, from January 2006–February 2007. Samples were obtained from 24 wild dogs for canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) serological testing. Data were collected on the presence of CDV, CPV, and rabies virus in the KZN domestic dog (Canis familiaris) population from 2004–06. The presence of these pathogens was confirmed in domestic dogs throughout KZN. Wild dogs exhibited 0% and 4.2% prevalence for CDV and CPV antibodies, respectively. In 2006 the largest wild dog pack in KZN was reduced from 26 individuals to a single animal; disease due to rabies virus was considered the most probable cause. This study provides evidence that CDV, CPV and rabies are potential threats to African wild dog conservation in KZN. The most economical and practical way to protect wild dogs from canine pathogens may be via vaccination of sympatric domestic dogs; however, such programmes are currently limited.

scholarly journals Effect of activity states on habitat selection by black-tailed deer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Bose ◽  
TD Forrester ◽  
DS Casady ◽  
Heiko Wittmer
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Scale Selection ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Selection For

© The Wildlife Society, 2018 Habitat selection is a complex hierarchical process and in ungulates typically varies at broad spatial and temporal scales and among individuals. Recent advancements in the ability of global positioning system (GPS)-collars to collect activity data provide opportunities to understand underlying mechanisms or trade-offs responsible for fine-scale variation in habitat selection. Based on data from 64 female black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) fitted with GPS-collars in northern California, USA, between 2004 and 2013, we first investigated habitat selection at the home range scale. We then used data from a subset of 27 individuals to determine if habitat selection within home ranges was influenced by activity states (active or inactive). Habitat selection by black-tailed deer varied between summer and winter and was mostly explained by differences in elevation, terrain, and vegetation. Within their home ranges, black-tailed deer showed fine-scale selection for habitats that varied with activity states. In summer, selection for edge density and forest types varied across activity states highlighting important fine-scale selection patterns. Activity state also affected our conclusions about the selection of habitats including slope, canopy cover, and forest types by black-tailed deer in winter. During both seasons, deer selected for apparently secure habitat when inactive, likely to minimize risk of predation. These results highlight the importance of considering activity states when evaluating habitat selection from animal location data. This is particularly important in multi-use landscapes such as national forests where habitat needs of ungulates are important considerations in management decisions, including timber harvest. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

Good dog! Using livestock guardian dogs to protect livestock from predators in Australia's extensive grazing systems

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda van Bommel ◽  
Chris N. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Extensive Grazing ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
Wild Predators ◽  
Free Ranging

Context Wild predators are a serious threat to livestock in Australia. Livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) may be able to reduce or eliminate predation, but their effectiveness in Australian grazing systems has not been systematically evaluated. In particular, little is known about the effectiveness of LGDs in situations where they range freely over large areas in company with large numbers of livestock. Aims We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of LGDs as currently used in Australia and determine the factors influencing effectiveness, in particular in relation to scale of management. We also documented how LGDs are managed in Australia, evaluated their cost effectiveness, and identified factors that influence the number of dogs required in different property situations. Methods We conducted a telephone survey of 150 livestock producers with LGDs in Australia, including all livestock types and property situations, in all States. Ten producers were visited, of which one is detailed as a case study. Key results Effectiveness was apparently high: 65.7% of respondents reported that predation ceased after obtaining LGDs, and a further 30.2% reported a decrease of predation. When the number of stock per dog exceeds 100, LGDs might not be able to eliminate all predation. Dogs are often kept free-ranging on large properties where wild dogs are the main predator, but are usually restricted in their movements on smaller properties or with smaller predators. The cost of obtaining a LGD is returned within 1–3 years after the dog starts working. The number of dogs required for a property mainly depends on the number of livestock needing protection, and the main type of predator in the area. Conclusions Provided a sufficient number of LGDs are used, they can be as effective in protecting livestock from predators in Australia when ranging freely on large properties with large numbers of livestock as they are in small-scale farming systems. Implications LGDs can provide a cost-effective alternative to conventional predator control methods in Australia’s extensive grazing enterprises, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for other forms of control. LGDs could play a major role in securing the viability of livestock businesses and reconciling people–predator conflict in Australia.

scholarly journals Fencing affects African wild dog movement patterns and population dynamics

Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Helen M. K. O'Neill ◽  
Sarah M. Durant ◽  
Stefanie Strebel ◽  
Rosie Woodroffe
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Wrong Side ◽  
African Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs

Abstract Wildlife fences are often considered an important tool in conservation. Fences are used in attempts to prevent human–wildlife conflict and reduce poaching, despite known negative impacts on landscape connectivity and animal movement patterns. Such impacts are likely to be particularly important for wide-ranging species, such as the African wild dog Lycaon pictus, which requires large areas of continuous habitat to fulfil its resource requirements. Laikipia County in northern Kenya is an important area for wild dogs but new wildlife fences are increasingly being built in this ecosystem. Using a long-term dataset from the area's free-ranging wild dog population, we evaluated the effect of wildlife fence structure on the ability of wild dogs to cross them. The extent to which fences impeded wild dog movement differed between fence designs, although individuals crossed fences of all types. Purpose-built fence gaps increased passage through relatively impermeable fences. Nevertheless, low fence permeability can lead to packs, or parts of packs, becoming trapped on the wrong side of a fence, with consequences for population dynamics. Careful evaluation should be given to the necessity of erecting fences; ecological impact assessments should incorporate evaluation of impacts on animal movement patterns and should be undertaken for all large-scale fencing interventions. Where fencing is unavoidable, projects should use the most permeable fencing structures possible, both in the design of the fence and including as many purpose-built gaps as possible, to minimize impacts on wide-ranging wildlife.

scholarly journals Measuring Fine-Scale White-Tailed Deer Movements and Environmental Influences Using GPS Collars

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Webb ◽  
Kenneth L. Gee ◽  
Bronson K. Strickland ◽  
Stephen Demarais ◽  
Randy W. DeYoung
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Moon Phase ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Tracking Devices

Few studies have documented fine-scale movements of ungulate species, including white-tailed deer(Odocoileus virginianus), despite the advent of global positioning system (GPS) technology incorporated into tracking devices. We collected fine-scale temporal location estimates (i.e., 15 min/relocation attempt) from 17 female and 15 male white-tailed deer over 7 years and 3 seasons in Oklahoma, USA. Our objectives were to document fine-scale movements of females and males and determine effects of reproductive phase, moon phase, and short-term weather patterns on movements. Female and male movements were primarily crepuscular. Male total daily movements were 20% greater during rut () than postrut (). Female daily movements were greatest during postparturition (), followed by parturition (), and preparturition (). We found moon phase had no effect on daily, nocturnal, and diurnal deer movements and fine-scale temporal weather conditions had an inconsistent influence on deer movement patterns within season. Our data suggest that hourly and daily variation in weather events have minimal impact on movements of white-tailed deer in southern latitudes. Instead, routine crepuscular movements, presumed to maximize thermoregulation and minimize predation risk, appear to be the most important factors influencing movements.

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