Demography and welfare status of free-roaming dogs in Yangmingshan National Park, Taiwan

摘要: Free-roaming dogs (Canis familiaris) cause threats to native wildlife and public health raise concerns for their welfare. Understanding the demography of free-roaming dog populations is essential developing an effective management plan. An evaluation welfare status would be beneficial earn support In this study, we estimated population size, survivorship, a in Yangmingshan National Park (YMSNP), Taiwan, during 2016-2018. YMSNP rural area with human settlements but also protected conservation concern. We identified 191, 176, 216 individuals at our sampling sites 2016, 2017, 2018, respectively. Using photographic capture-recapture method extrapolation, that there were 786-979 park 3-year period. The annual apparent survival rate was 16.7% 2016-2017 23.9% 2017-2018. had high lameness dermatosis 5.1-8.8% 14.2-18.1%, Thirty-five blood samples showed 34.3% anemic, 37.1% abnormal white cell counts, 68.6% exhibited platelet counts. These results suggested density low survivorship poor health, new entered continuously. Interventions manage improve must carried out. Our study provides example monitoring managing rural, Southeast Asia.