Research of abandoned Tibetan mastiffs and interaction with local carnivores in Sanjiangyuan National Natural Reserve, Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

Between 2000-2012, a high market demand for Tibetan mastiffs stimulated dog raising in Tibetan Plateau but soon collapsed market led to abandonment of dogs. Due to high reproductive ability and adaptability, increased free-ranging dogs are emerging threat to local wildlife including snow leopards, which are an endangered and flagship species that helps maintain the health of whole local ecosystem. Because monks often offer food and shelters, the abandoned dogs tend to gather around monasteries, which are usually located in snow leopard habitats. Through assessing the density, distribution patterns, social structure, activity patterns, diets, and parasites of both free-ranging dogs and snow leopards, we found the former are potential predators, prey, competitors, and disease transmitters for the later. By working with communities and government, we identified sterilization and adoption would be feasible and optimal solutions and carried out early test in 2 villages.