For decades, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis) has been considered one of the least-known carnivores in Latin America, and potentially one of the least-known canids in the world. Because of its highly secretive nature, acute hearing, and strong sense of smell, this cryptic creature has successfully avoided people, leaving biologists with very few direct sightings in the wild. However, a new study published in the open-access journal Neotropical Biology and Conservation now offers insights into the life of this mysterious Amazonian predator.
The Power of Remote Sensing
According to the study 's lead author Robert Wallace, the turning point in their understanding of the ghost dog came with the advent of remote sensing. When researchers first started capturing pictures of the species with camera traps back in 2001, they knew they were onto something special and envisioned a comprehensive publication.
Over the span of nearly 25 years, scientists systematized 500 distributional records across Bolivia and conducted 34 intensive camera-trap surveys. These surveys took place across the lowland regions of Bolivia and Peru, primarily in the Greater Madidi-Tambopata and Llanos de Moxos Biocultural Landscapes.
Accumulating 594 independent photographic events, this monumental effort represents the largest collection of confirmed short-eared dog records anywhere within the species' distribution. The lead author highlighted that this research is a "wonderful example of how conservation technology and remote sensing - in this case the intensive use of camera traps - can provide substantial data on one of the least known species of the Amazonian rainforests".
Unveiling the Ghost
What exactly does this ghost dog look like? The camera traps revealed a unique physical profile: a dark, dense coat ranging from blackish gray to reddish-brown, a large head with very small and rounded ears, short legs, and a long, bushy tail. Intriguingly, the species even boasts partially webbed paws, a trait that is completely unique among Amazonian canids.
The biggest surprise, however, wasn't its appearance.
"The most surprising aspect of the results was that despite being an almost mythical beast, short-eared dogs are much more abundant than we had imagined.
- noted the researchers
While they are by no means a common species, their camera-trap capture rates and an estimated density of 15 individuals per 100 square kilometers suggest they are not as rare as scientists once feared. The results allowed for the researchers to determine that the short-eared dogs are more abundant than larger carnivores like jaguars, though less abundant than medium-sized carnivores like ocelots. The study also highlighted a small aspect of these canids' behavioral ecology: they are primarily diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day, with their activity peaking between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
A Forest Specialist in Need of Protection
So, where are these ghost dogs hiding? The data points to intact forests. The short-eared dog is a true forest specialist, showing a strong preference for terra firme - upland forests away from rivers. This specialized, dense habitat requirement is a primary reason for the species' reduced visibility to humans.
Because their survival is intricately tied to continuous, intact forest cover, the conservation of the short-eared dog depends heavily on the creation and effective management of protected areas. The study found that the relative abundance of short-eared dogs was noticeably higher in national protected areas and Indigenous territories that overlap with these protected zones, compared to unprotected areas.
The most important management strategy is the protection of Amazonian forest canopy for which the creation and effective management of protected areas is the most important element, in combination with the sustainable management of Indigenous territories.
- the researchers explained.
While we now know that this elusive canid is secretly thriving in the deep forests of Bolivia and Peru, its future relies entirely on our ability to protect its home.
Original source:
Wallace RB, Ayala G, Viscarra M, Porcel Z (2026) Unveiling the ghost: short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis) distribution, activity patterns, habitat use, relative abundance, and occupancy in Bolivia. Neotropical Biology and Conservation 21(1): 49-66. https://doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.21.e183324
