Wildlife affected by dog walking

A new study reveals for the first time that dog walking and wildlife do not go hand in hand.

Evidence has been found that where dogs are walked in woodland there is a 40 per cent reduction in bird abundance and a 35 per cent reduction in the diversity of birds.

Dr Peter Banks who led the study at the University of New South Wales with Jessica Bryant said, "These results support the ban on access for dog-walking to sensitive natural areas. I can't see why it wouldn't be relevant to the UK and other places."

A popular outdoor activity, dog walking is good for human and canine health . However, dog walkers face restrictions to public land from conservation managers as they fear local wildlife will be affected.

Both sides are passionate about and many issues about the ecological impact of dog walking are unresolved.

Today’s dogs evolved from wolves that were deemed ‘top predators’ and faced little opposition. This study shows that domestic dogs are still perceived as a threat.

Dr Banks said, "These results argue against access by dog walkers to sensitive conservation areas."

The research team came to its conclusion after they controlled dog walking in 90 woodland sites around the outskirts of Sydney as part of their research. The response of birds was monitored as they suffered disturbance from walkers with or without dogs. There was also a control where there were no walkers or dogs for comparison.

All native birds were monitored that could be heard or seen within 50 meters of a 250 meter trail. The activity was monitored 20 seconds after the walker / dog walker started their walk and lasted for 10 minutes.

"Dog walking caused a 41 per cent reduction in the numbers of bird individuals detected and a 35 per cent reduction in species richness compared with untreated controls," they concluded. "Humans walking alone also induced some disturbance but typically less than half that induced by dogs."

Researchers found that birds such as painted button-quails, fairy wrens and finches were most affected as 50 per cent of the species recorded in the control sites were not found in sites where dogs were walked.

This could have an effect of behavioural changes in the species. Even if birds didn’t flee, their numbers were still reduced when dogs were present compared to the control sites. This indicates birds taking refuge elsewhere.

Dr Banks said, "These results reveal that even dogs restrained on leads can disturb birds. The effect occurs even in areas where dog-walking is common and where they are prohibited, indicating that birds don't become accustomed to continued disturbance by dogs."

The immediate implication is for those who enjoy bird-watching and eco-tourism.

Dr Banks added, "The issue is here that dog walking will displace birds meaning bird watchers and ecotourists will not see as many birds, detracting from their experience...of course ecotourism without dogs still has its own impacts on wildlife."