INVASIVE STRAY AND FERAL DOGS ANKARAFANTSIKA NATIONAL PARK, MADAGASCAR

INVASIVE STRAY AND FERAL DOGS LIMIT FOSA (CRYPTOPROCTA FEROX) POPULATIONS IN
ANKARAFANTSIKA NATIONAL PARK, MADAGASCAR

Masters project submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the Master of Environmental Management degree in
the Nicholas School of the Environment of
Duke University
2009


ABSTRACT
The fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is a medium sized carnivore of the family Eupleridae which is endemic to
the island of Madagascar. Recent publications have shown that the fosa is under significant pressure
from deforestation and fragmentation, leading to its classification as Threatened under the Endangered
Species Act. A trap study was conducted from 1999 to 2008 in Ankarafantsika National Park,
Madagascar, to ascertain the health of a population and measure additional threats to its survival. Feral
dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) appeared in the park in 2004 and a comparison of trap rates of the two
species shows an inverse relationship between the presence of dogs and the presence of fosa. In this
paper I discuss reasons for this relationship, the effect of the continued presence of dogs, and
implications for the management of the park.