Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Volume

44

Publisher

Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey - TUBITAK, Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknik Arastirma Kurumu

Publication Date

3-4-2020

First Page

209

Last Page

213

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Abstract

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) was recorded for the first time in Turkey on May 10, 2019, and June 5, 2019, in the same location after 4668 nights of camera trapping in the forests of the Sarıkamış region and Allahuekber Mountains in eastern Turkey. It was recorded in a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forest at 2340 m above sea level with extensive snow cover. Given that the nearest known population is in the forests of Georgia approximately 105 km away, there may already be a viable population in Turkey. As an omnivorous species with a high adaptive ability and high reproductive potential, the raccoon dog has strong dispersal capability. It is considered an invasive species in Europe and there are some ongoing eradication activities in several countries. Therefore, we strongly advise that the raccoon dog in Turkey be evaluated as an invasive species and that the relevant authorities conduct extensive research and any necessary management, especially where the habitat and local climate are more favorable for the species’ reproduction and range expansion.

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