A population of free-living highland wild dogs in Indonesian Papua
James K. McIntyre A E , Lisa L. Wolf A , Benjamin N. Sacks B , Johon Koibur C and I. Lehr Brisbin
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A New Guinea Highland Wild Dog Foundation, 1009 White Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034, USA.
B Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, 1 Garrod Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
C Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Papua, Jl. Gunung Salju Amban Manokwari, Papua Province, Indonesia.
D University of Georgia, 101 Herty Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602-6113, USA.
E Corresponding Author. Email jmcint6317@aol.com
Australian Mammalogy 42(2) 160-166 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM18039
Submitted: 23 October 2018 Accepted: 11 June 2019 Published: 8 July 2019
Abstract
A 10-day rapid assessment has confirmed a small population of indigenous wild-living dogs in the highlands of Papua Province, Indonesia. The goal of the assessment was to observe, census, assess health and reproductive status, and collect biological samples or other data for this understudied canid. Trail cameras and DNA hair traps were deployed and baited with scent attractants, and game calls were used to elicit vocal responses or lure the dogs within observation range. Adults and pups of both sexes as well as a den were documented in 149 photographs. DNA testing of scat samples confirmed a canid origin with a close relationship to other oceanic canids including NGSD (New Guinea Singing Dog) and dingoes.
Additional keywords: canid, dingo, New Guinea singing dog, NGSD.
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