Ecological Interactions Between Domestic Dogs and Wild Canids in Agricultural Landscapes with Implications for Disease Transmission

Abstract

There are also opportunities for disease transmission at the ecological interfaces between domestic dogs and wild canids, for which agricultural areas humanized through their own activities offer a breeding ground. This study explores the space-time behavior of domestic dogs and wild canids (Canis spp.) and evaluates the prevalence of pathogens in Ramnagar Block, Uttarakhand, India. To document movement patterns and interaction zones, population surveys, camera trap monitoring, GPS tracking, and community interviews were performed. Two hundred and fourteen domestic dogs and 18 wild canids were sampled for the detection of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), rabies, and gastrointestinal (GI) parasites by molecular and serological methods. 28% of zones monitored had some degree of spatial overlap, and direct and indirect contact potential increased where there was temporal overlap (dawn and dusk). Within the group of domestic dogs, 12% had CDV, 8% rabies, and 15% gastrointestinal parasites; and within the group of wild canids, 11% had CDV and 22% gastrointestinal parasites. Water points and crop edges were both determined to be high probability encounter zones ≥ 0.35 using network analysis, indicating anthropogenic effects on interaction dynamics. Results suggest that domestic dogs are the major reservoirs and vectors and thus pose a higher risk to wild canid populations. A wide range of effective management practices, such as targeted vaccination campaigns, controlled domestic dog roaming, wildlife corridors, and implementation of community awareness initiatives, must be practiced to minimize the risk of pathogen spillover. There is a need for future studies on long-term monitoring, cross-regional comparative studies, and molecular pathogen tracing to be carried out for the development of predictive models and evidence-based interventions. This whole-of-ecology and epidemiology review offers actionable recommendations for wildlife, public health, and landscape management.