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Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) as a predator and disturbance agent of wildlife in Tasmania
Citation
Holderness-Roddam, B and McQuillan, PB, Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) as a predator and disturbance agent of wildlife in Tasmania, Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 21, (4) pp. 441-452. ISSN 1448-6563 (2014) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2014 Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand Inc.
DOI: doi:10.1080/14486563.2014.952787
Abstract
Domestic dogs are potentially a threat to the wellbeing of Tasmania’s native wildlife in
urban reserves, possibly comparable to cats. Dogs disrupt feeding and breeding in
wildlife. Greater Hobart has 33,000 registered domestic dogs, concentrated in the more
densely populated areas. Datasets of the Resource Management and Conservation
Division of the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, and the Australian
Wildlife Health Centre, Wildlife Hospital at Healesville Sanctuary, Victoria, were used
to compare the effects of dogs as predators with cats. These datasets indicated that dogs
were responsible for more reported attacks on wildlife than cats. These findings have
management implications for local councils, who are typically responsible for such
areas. They need to review the urban natural areas where dogs are permitted, both on
leash and off leash, and then consider monitoring dog owner behaviour at peak dog
walking periods – in evenings and at weekends – and prosecute non-compliant dog
owners. At the planning stage for new subdivisions, particularly those near sensitive
wildlife areas, councils should consider mandating bushland reserves with larger buffer
zones to reduce the effects of residential development.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | disturbance, suburbs, natural areas, reserves, predation, dogs |
Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
Research Group: | Environmental management |
Research Field: | Environmental management |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Terrestrial systems and management |
Objective Field: | Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in terrestrial environments |
UTAS Author: | Holderness-Roddam, B (Mr Robert Holderness-Roddam) |
UTAS Author: | McQuillan, PB (Mr Peter McQuillan) |
ID Code: | 97503 |
Year Published: | 2014 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 17 |
Deposited By: | Geography and Environmental Studies |
Deposited On: | 2014-12-19 |
Last Modified: | 2017-10-31 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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