DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Infectious Disease in Wild African Carnivores: Are Domestic Dogs a Reservoir for Common Canid Pathogens?

家犬被认为是威胁非洲野生食肉动物种群的传染病的来源，包括极度濒危的非洲野狗（Lycaon pictus）。 该项目旨在了解家犬和非洲食肉动物在病原体传播动力学中的作用，并将这些知识应用于食肉动物保护工作。 将对生活在低或高水平暴露于家犬的地区的豺狼（Canis mesomelas）和鬣狗（Crocuta crocuta）进行检测，以确定暴露于特定病原体的证据。 这项研究和同时进行的一项非洲野狗研究的结果将用于开发一个预测模型，该模型将有助于指导对处于危险中的非洲食肉动物的保护管理决策，保护非洲野狗、胡狼和土狼等顶级食肉动物对于维持健康的生态系统及其内在价值至关重要，这些价值为发展中国家带来旅游收入。狂犬病和犬瘟热病毒等病原体可能对这些顶级掠食者的生存产生重大影响，导致生态系统的破坏。此外，狂犬病对人类健康构成重大风险。 通过了解这些和其他威胁这些动物的传染病的生态，可以制定和实施适当的保护管理和人类健康政策。

Domestic dogs are thought to be the source of infectious diseases that threaten wild African carnivore populations including the critically endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus). This project seeks to understand the role of domestic dogs and African carnivores in pathogen transmission dynamics and to apply this knowledge towards carnivore conservation efforts. Jackals (Canis mesomelas) and hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) living in areas with low or high levels of exposure to domestic dogs will be tested for evidence of exposure to specific pathogens. Findings from this and a concurrent study in African wild dogs will be used in the development of a predictive model that will help guide conservation management decisions for African carnivores at risk.Conservation of top predators such as African wild dogs, jackals and hyenas is critical for maintenance of healthy ecosystems and for their intrinsic value, which brings tourism income to developing countries. Pathogens, such as rabies and canine distemper virus, may have a significant impact on the survival of these top predators, leading to disruption of ecosystems. In addition, rabies presents an important human health risk. By understanding the ecology of these and other infectious diseases that threaten these animals, appropriate conservation management and human health policy can be developed and implemented.