Free-Roaming Dog Surveys in Quito, Ecuador: Experiences, Lessons Learned, and Future Work

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Epidemiology
• Wildlife Management
• Animal Population Dynamics

Background:

• Effective management of free-roaming dog populations is crucial for public health and animal welfare.
• Selecting appropriate survey methodologies is essential for accurate population assessment and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of two distinct survey methods for free-roaming dogs in Quito, Ecuador.
• To propose an optimized, alternative survey strategy for future population monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Capture-recapture method (2018) using photographic identification over ~5 km transects at 04:00.
• Distance sampling (2019) estimating density over ~5 km transects at 08:00.
• Proposed method: Direct observation (dogs/km) supplemented by capture-recapture every 5 years.

Main Results:

• Capture-recapture faced challenges with individual identification due to low light and photographic clarity, requiring more time and complex logistics.
• Distance sampling encountered concerns regarding accurate estimation of animal-observer distances and angles.
• The proposed method offers a simpler, sensitive approach for objective management assessments.

Conclusions:

• Both capture-recapture and distance sampling present limitations for surveying free-roaming dogs in Quito.
• The proposed direct observation and periodic capture-recapture method provides a practical and sensitive alternative for monitoring and management.
• This integrated approach can enhance objective assessments of interventions, population understanding, and public awareness.