Domestic dogs as a threat to sloths in Costa Rica: A clinical case report and review of the problem
Human-introduced predators, primarily the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), and human-modified landscapes conjointly threaten wildlife across Costa Rica. For arboreal species, including the two-fingered sloth (Choloepus hoffmani), the impact of domestic dogs is amplified in areas of habitat fra...
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Language: | English |
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De Gruyter
2023
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1515/ovs-2022-0115 https://doaj.org/article/b4741efa34694c8998d290c45ee28594 |
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:b4741efa34694c8998d290c45ee28594 2023-06-06T11:52:38+02:00 Domestic dogs as a threat to sloths in Costa Rica: A clinical case report and review of the problem Brown Natalie Villada Ana Trull Sam 2023-03-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1515/ovs-2022-0115 https://doaj.org/article/b4741efa34694c8998d290c45ee28594 EN eng De Gruyter https://doi.org/10.1515/ovs-2022-0115 https://doaj.org/toc/2544-8951 2544-8951 doi:10.1515/ovs-2022-0115 https://doaj.org/article/b4741efa34694c8998d290c45ee28594 Open Veterinary Science, Vol 3, Iss 1, Pp 35-51 (2023) sloth choloepus hoffmanni invasive predator anthropogenic disturbance canis lupus familiaris necropsy Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 article 2023 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1515/ovs-2022-0115 2023-04-16T00:37:37Z Human-introduced predators, primarily the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), and human-modified landscapes conjointly threaten wildlife across Costa Rica. For arboreal species, including the two-fingered sloth (Choloepus hoffmani), the impact of domestic dogs is amplified in areas of habitat fragmentation. In efforts to navigate discontinuous canopies associated with urban development and human encroachment, C. hoffmani is forced to utilize terrestrial locomotion. This unnatural behavior leaves sloths increasingly vulnerable to predation by domestic dogs, which occupy altered landscapes in high densities. In this report, we detail the ante and postmortem findings associated with C. hoffmani following an extensive attack by three large-breed dogs. The patient sustained severe and fatal polytraumatic injuries targeting the abdominothoracic region. Gross lesions were not readily evident, obscured by unique anatomical characteristics of the species. This report aims to highlight the threat imposed by dogs to sloths and the severity of injuries, with considerations for clinical management in light of C. hoffmani morphology. We review the scope of domestic dog–wildlife conflict in Costa Rica, and propose collaborative mitigation strategies including habitat preservation, domestic dog population control, installation of wildlife corridors, policy initiatives, and dog owner education and public outreach. Article in Journal/Newspaper Canis lupus Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Open Veterinary Science 3 1 35 51 |
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Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
sloth choloepus hoffmanni invasive predator anthropogenic disturbance canis lupus familiaris necropsy Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 |
spellingShingle |
sloth choloepus hoffmanni invasive predator anthropogenic disturbance canis lupus familiaris necropsy Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 Brown Natalie Villada Ana Trull Sam Domestic dogs as a threat to sloths in Costa Rica: A clinical case report and review of the problem |
topic_facet |
sloth choloepus hoffmanni invasive predator anthropogenic disturbance canis lupus familiaris necropsy Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 |
description |
Human-introduced predators, primarily the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), and human-modified landscapes conjointly threaten wildlife across Costa Rica. For arboreal species, including the two-fingered sloth (Choloepus hoffmani), the impact of domestic dogs is amplified in areas of habitat fragmentation. In efforts to navigate discontinuous canopies associated with urban development and human encroachment, C. hoffmani is forced to utilize terrestrial locomotion. This unnatural behavior leaves sloths increasingly vulnerable to predation by domestic dogs, which occupy altered landscapes in high densities. In this report, we detail the ante and postmortem findings associated with C. hoffmani following an extensive attack by three large-breed dogs. The patient sustained severe and fatal polytraumatic injuries targeting the abdominothoracic region. Gross lesions were not readily evident, obscured by unique anatomical characteristics of the species. This report aims to highlight the threat imposed by dogs to sloths and the severity of injuries, with considerations for clinical management in light of C. hoffmani morphology. We review the scope of domestic dog–wildlife conflict in Costa Rica, and propose collaborative mitigation strategies including habitat preservation, domestic dog population control, installation of wildlife corridors, policy initiatives, and dog owner education and public outreach. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Brown Natalie Villada Ana Trull Sam |
author_facet |
Brown Natalie Villada Ana Trull Sam |
author_sort |
Brown Natalie |
title |
Domestic dogs as a threat to sloths in Costa Rica: A clinical case report and review of the problem |
title_short |
Domestic dogs as a threat to sloths in Costa Rica: A clinical case report and review of the problem |
title_full |
Domestic dogs as a threat to sloths in Costa Rica: A clinical case report and review of the problem |
title_fullStr |
Domestic dogs as a threat to sloths in Costa Rica: A clinical case report and review of the problem |
title_full_unstemmed |
Domestic dogs as a threat to sloths in Costa Rica: A clinical case report and review of the problem |
title_sort |
domestic dogs as a threat to sloths in costa rica: a clinical case report and review of the problem |
publisher |
De Gruyter |
publishDate |
2023 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1515/ovs-2022-0115 https://doaj.org/article/b4741efa34694c8998d290c45ee28594 |
genre |
Canis lupus |
genre_facet |
Canis lupus |
op_source |
Open Veterinary Science, Vol 3, Iss 1, Pp 35-51 (2023) |
op_relation |
https://doi.org/10.1515/ovs-2022-0115 https://doaj.org/toc/2544-8951 2544-8951 doi:10.1515/ovs-2022-0115 https://doaj.org/article/b4741efa34694c8998d290c45ee28594 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1515/ovs-2022-0115 |
container_title |
Open Veterinary Science |
container_volume |
3 |
container_issue |
1 |
container_start_page |
35 |
op_container_end_page |
51 |
_version_ |
1767958592492666880 |