Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/23112
Title: Dog and Cat Interactions in a Remote Aboriginal Community
Contributor(s): Kennedy, Brooke  (author); Brown, Wendy Y  (author)orcid ; Vernes, Karl  (author)orcid ; Körtner, Gerhard  (author)orcid ; Butler, James R A  (author)
Publication Date: 2018
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/ani8050065Open Access Link
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/23112
Abstract: Australian remote Aboriginal communities commonly have large, free-roaming dog populations and relatively small cat populations. However, cats are becoming increasingly popular pets in these communities and it is essential to determine their potential impacts on wildlife to inform animal management practices. In a small island community, this study provided baseline population demographics and investigated dog and cat roaming behaviours and interspecific interactions. The dog population, estimated at 343 dogs, showed active periods at dawn and dusk. The cat population had doubled in 6 months to approximately 83 cats. Cats were observed roaming mainly from dawn until dusk, possibly avoiding periods when dogs were most active. The majority of cats were observed nonroaming. Three cats, however, were captured roaming during the night when all flightless wildlife were observed on our camera traps, suggesting potential impact on local wildlife through their hunting activities. These baseline data provide evidence on which to base management programs that include cats and their impacts on native wildlife. Further research using the multiple methods piloted in this study are warranted to monitor dog and cat populations and their interactions in this island community.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Animals, 8(5), p. 1-15
Publisher: MDPI AG
Place of Publication: Switzerland
ISSN: 2076-2615
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 070203 Animal Management
050211 Wildlife and Habitat Management
050202 Conservation and Biodiversity
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 300302 Animal management
410407 Wildlife and habitat management
410401 Conservation and biodiversity
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 839901 Animal Welfare
960806 Forest and Woodlands Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 109902 Animal welfare
180606 Terrestrial biodiversity
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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