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Dogs and Disease Threats to Giant Pandas in China
Author(s) -
Yan Xia,
Owens Jacob R.,
Wen Yiping,
Su Xiaoyan,
Wang Zhenghao,
Liu Songrui,
Zhang Dongsheng,
Callan Ramana,
Wenlei Bi,
Qi Dunwu,
Spotila James R.,
Hou Rong,
Zhang Zhihe
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the journal of wildlife management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1937-2817
pISSN - 0022-541X
DOI - 10.1002/jwmg.21786
Subject(s) - wildlife , ailuropoda melanoleuca , canine distemper , population , wildlife disease , geography , veterinary medicine , biology , environmental health , zoology , medicine , ecology , virology , virus
The potential threat of domestic dogs to wildlife habitat in China is not widely recognized, despite their large population, lack of regulations regarding their control, and threat they pose to native species. In a case study in 2017, we surveyed villages surrounding Liziping Nature Reserve, the primary site for the release of captive‐born giant pandas ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) into the wild. We conducted surveys of dog owners to assess the population size, demographics, free‐roaming status, and vaccination and sterilization history of their dogs. We collected blood and fecal samples to assess the prevalence of viral and parasite disease threats. At least 370 owned dogs lived near the core giant panda habitat; 64% were free‐roaming, 21% had positive antibody titers for ≥1 of the 4 viruses we tested (canine distemper, parvovirus, rotavirus, rabies), and 67% were positive for gastrointestinal parasites. The high proportion of free‐roaming dogs, uninhibited access to the reserve, and high prevalence of infectious diseases indicate that dogs pose a serious threat to wildlife within Liziping. The extent of this threat throughout the giant panda nature reserve network is unknown and should be assessed. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.