Dog overpopulation on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos 2018

Abstract

In addition to El Niño events, which can alter the pelagic food chain that supports growth and survival of sea lions, dog overpopulation, and diseases can cause further population declines in sea lions on the Galapagos. Knowledge of baseline data and evaluation of existing strategies to control dog reproduction are required for effective management of dog overpopulation on the archipelago. The main objective of the study reported here was to estimate the

A recent distemper virus outbreak in the growing canine populations of Galapagos Islands: a persistent threat for the endangered Galapagos Sea Lion

“…The last survey of the domestic canine population in Santa Cruz Island was conducted in 2018, showing a dog population increase of 55% in comparison to a previous census in 2014. There was also an additional increase in households owning a dog from 40% in 2014 to 58% ( 2 ). A greater dog population density would facilitate CDV outbreaks and spread, with a higher number of interactions between hosts and other canines facilitating its exchange and dispersion within the population.…”

“…Invasive species such as domestic canines and felines are still a threat to the biodiversity of the archipelago. In the most populated island of Santa Cruz alone, the population of domestic canines was estimated at 3,886 in 2018, representing a 55% increase from a previous census in 2014 (2). With domestic canine overpopulation, and the risk of its continued growth, comes the potential for habitat encroachment, predation of endemic wildlife, and interspecies transmission or spill over of infectious diseases, such as Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), into wildlife populations (3).…”

Seroconversion in Galapagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) Confirms the Presence of Canine Distemper Virus in Rookeries of San Cristóbal Island

“…Our work confirmed the ongoing circulation of CDV in Galapagos wildlife. This, combined with the increasing population of domestic dogs on the islands [8,10], represents an increased risk of infection for GSLs. We recognize that one of the limitations of…”

“…The permanent human population of the Galapagos archipelago has increased exponentially from 5000 people in 1974 to over 25,000 people in 2015 [6,7]. This has generated a domestic canine overpopulation on several populated islands of the archipelago [8,9]. The last assessment reported that the human/dog ratio was 4.04:1, representing an increase of 55% in the dog population on Santa Cruz Island from 2014 to 2018 [8,10].…”

“…This has generated a domestic canine overpopulation on several populated islands of the archipelago [8,9]. The last assessment reported that the human/dog ratio was 4.04:1, representing an increase of 55% in the dog population on Santa Cruz Island from 2014 to 2018 [8,10]. This growing canine population can increase the risk of transmission of infectious diseases, such as that caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV), which could severely affect endangered species such as the GSL [11,12].…”