Pudú are the world’s smallest deer species, found in the temperate forests of South America. Like other deer, pudú eat foliage, shoots, twigs, bark, buds, fruit and seeds. However, because of their small size of the pudú often have to stand on their hind feet, climb tree branches and stand on stumps to reach their food. The diminutive pudús range in size from 32 to 44 centimeters (13 to 17 in) tall are up to 85 centimeters (33 in) long.
The size of pudú populations is difficult to estimate because of their declining habitats and secretive nature. Much of what is known about the species comes from the more than 130 pudús currently living in captivity, according to the International Species Information System.
Recently Eduardo Silva-Rodriguez and a team of researchers from the University of Florida set up cameras in a southern Chilean forest to monitor pudús, and made a startling discovery. The cameras caught pet dogs from a nearby house moving through pudú territory just hours after the deer had been there. The owners of the dogs were found and confirmed the suspicions of the researchers; the dogs were tracking the pudú.
“Our study strongly suggests that dogs, in addition to killing pudús, affect their use of space,” said Mr. Silva told the BBC. If attacked, the pudú does not stand much of a chance, only surviving half of the time.
Even when a pudu can avoid an attack - domesticated dogs carry parasites that can seriously impact the pudú population.
The answer to the problem seems clear: keep the dogs out of protected pudu forests. Unfortunately the solution is not that simple. Dogs are owned by many local farmers to protect their livestock, so they are allowed to roam freely.
The pudús are listed as a “vulnerable” species, . If they are to be protected, it is important that researchers and animal protection work with locals who live in pudú territory to manage their dogs.
Make sure you watch the BBC Nature News slide-show on territory invaded by pet dogs : World’s smallest deer under threat from pets
Read Off The Leash at Conservation Magazine, for more details about the primary research article published last month by Eduardo Silva-Rodriguez and colleagues on the threat to the pudú population.
Photo courtesy of Gustavo Durán
