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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 human: dog ratio on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos in September 2018. In addition, dog demographic data were used to model the expected annual dog population growth in the next 3 years. The observed human: dog ratio was 756:187 (or 4.04:1) which extrapolates to 3,886 dogs; an increase of 55% in the dog population on Santa Cruz Island from 2014 to 2018. Study results show that current spay-neuter efforts (about 180 dogs per year in the last 5 years; 57% females, 43% males) are not enough to keep the dog population stable (i.e., current baseline of 3,886 dogs in 2018). Our results justify a revision of current management action plan to control dog reproduction on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos.