Unraveling the impact of dog‐friendly spaces on urban–wildland pumas and other wildlife

Abstract

As the most widespread large carnivore on the planet, domestic dogs Canis lupus familiaris can pose a major threat to wildlife, even within protected areas (PAs). Growing human presence in PAs, coupled with increasing pet dog ownership underscores the urgency to understand the influence of dogs on wildlife activity and health. This knowledge can mitigate the adverse repercussions of recreation, optimizing PA management. Drawing on five years (2017–2021) of data from 101 camera traps in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States, we measured the spatiotemporal responses of puma Puma concolor, bobcat Lynx rufus, coyote Canis latrans, and mule deer Odocoileus hemionus towards domestic dogs. Additionally, using six years (2017–2022) of community science data, we explored the impacts of PA dog policies on puma sightings outside park boundaries. Puma responses provide insights into broader ecological impacts, while analyses of bobcat, coyote, and mule deer offer a comprehensive understanding of species responses to dog‐friendly spaces. Because dogs can be perceived as predators or competitors by wildlife, we anticipated shifts in spatial and temporal activity patterns in response to dogs. Wildlife responses included avoidance (bobcat, puma) or spatial overlap (mule deer) for areas with more dogs, and no effect (coyote). Mule deer may benefit from a “human shield” provided by people with dogs, while pumas and bobcats appeared more sensitive, and coyotes more adaptable. Dog policies influenced puma and mule deer temporal activity, with increased nocturnal activity in dog‐friendly PAs. Bobcat temporal activity was less variable in dog‐friendly PAs and coyote activity was similar between treatments. Outside PAs, puma sightings increased with human disturbance. Our study underscores the trade‐offs between recreation and wildlife conservation, emphasizing the need to quantify the ecological impacts of dogs. This understanding is vital for informing conservation strategies and promoting coexistence between dogs, wildlife, and protected environments.