Carlos Adrian Estrella Bermeo
The Tinajillas–Río Gualaceño Protected Forest, located in the southern Andes of Ecuador, is a key conservation area that harbours important populations of medium and large mammals, including threatened and data-deficient species. In recent years, increasing human presence, agricultural expansion, and the proliferation of free-roaming domestic dogs and cats around the reserve have raised growing concerns about their impacts on native wildlife. Domestic animals can act as predators, competitors, and vectors of pathogens, representing a significant yet poorly quantified threat to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health.
This project, The Wild Next Door: Understanding the Hidden Links Between Domestic and Wild Animals in Tinajillas–Río Gualaceño Reserve, aims to investigate the spatial, ecological, and health-related interactions between domestic animals and wildlife at the forest–agricultural interface. By integrating camera trapping, GPS tracking, and field-based health assessments, the study will generate robust data to better understand how domestic animals use protected and surrounding landscapes and how their presence overlaps with wildlife activity.
The primary objectives of the project are:
(1) to evaluate spatial overlap and temporal interactions between domestic animals and key wildlife species using camera trap data;
(2) to identify potential disease transmission risks by assessing basic health indicators and exposure pathways at the wildlife–domestic interface; and
(3) to engage local communities through participatory workshops aimed at improving responsible pet ownership and reducing negative human–wildlife interactions.
Methodologically, the project will deploy a network of camera traps across different habitat types, including forest interior, forest edges, and agricultural landscapes. Selected domestic animals will be fitted with GPS collars to quantify home range size, movement patterns, and incursions into protected areas. Complementary field observations and health screening protocols will support a One Health approach, linking wildlife conservation, domestic animal management, and human wellbeing.
Ultimately, this project seeks to provide science-based evidence to inform local conservation strategies, contribute to management planning for the Tinajillas–Río Gualaceño Protected Forest, and support community-driven solutions that promote coexistence between people, domestic animals, and wildlife.