Bush Dogs in Central America: Recent Range Expansion, Cryptic Distribution, or Both?

Recent observations of bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) in east-central and southeastern Costa Rica, including Barbilla National Park and La Amistad International Park, suggest a potential range expansion or previously underestimated distribution. This small, pack-hunting neotropical canid has historically been considered rare, with its range possibly extending up to 120 km north-northwest in the Talamanca Mountains at elevations reaching 2,119 meters. The study highlights challenges in documenting their current and future distribution due to their inherently low density. Researchers used repeated observations to assess these findings, contributing new insights into the ecology and conservation of this elusive species within UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sáenz-Bolaños, C., Fuller, T. K., Mooring, M. S., Porras, J., Sievert, P. R., Montalvo, V. H., & Carrillo, E. J. (2019). Bush Dogs in Central America: Recent Range Expansion, Cryptic Distribution, or Both? Tropical Conservation Science, 12. https://doi.org/10.1177/1940082919849758