Local Accounts of Opportunistic Encounters with Bush Dogs (Speothos venaticus) in the Rupununi Region of Guyana

<p>The bush dog (Speothos venaticus) is naturally rare, extremely elusive and notoriously difficult to study in the field. The abundance, distribution, and ecological requirements of this species are poorly understood, hampering conservation and management efforts. More effective methods for collecting data that will increase our understanding and inform management are needed for this species. Previous studies have shown that bringing indigenous ecological knowledge (IEK) into the scientific process has considerable potential for improving research and natural resource management. By collaborating with subsistence resource users, scientists can boost productivity and cut costs, all while supporting conservation and building capacity in local communities. We present 78 reports of opportunistic encounters with bush dogs from surveys of key informants from the Rupununi Region of Guyana. In the absence of an effective tool for quantitative study of this species, more comprehensive surveys of local observations may be the best tool to inform management moving forward.