Response to sudden surge in human movement by an urban-adapted animal
Debottam Bhattacharjee, Anindita Bhadra

TL;DR
This study examines how sudden increases in human foot traffic affect urban free-ranging dogs, revealing declines in their population and activity levels, with behavioral activity rebounding but population numbers remaining low.
Contribution
It provides new insights into the immediate behavioral and population responses of urban dogs to abrupt human disturbances.
Findings
Dog abundance decreases with increased human footfall.
Behavioral activity of dogs declines during high human activity.
Behavioral activity recovers after disturbance, but population remains reduced.
Abstract
Interaction with its immediate environment determines the ecology of an organism. Species present in any habitat, wild or urban, may face extreme pressure due to sudden perturbations. When such disturbances are unpredictable, it becomes more challenging to tackle. Implementation of specific strategies is therefore essential for different species to overcome adverse situations. Numerous biotic and abiotic factors can alter the dynamics of a species. Anthropogenic disturbance is one such factor that has considerable implications and also the potential to impact species living in the proximity of human habitats. We investigated the response of an urban adapted species to a sudden surge in human footfall or overcrowding. Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) living freely in the streets of developing countries experience tremendous anthropogenic pressure. It is known that human movement in an area…
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