Amazonian Ghost Dogs May Be More Common Than Once Thought

A 25-year camera-trap study in Bolivia and Peru suggests the rare short-eared dog, nicknamed the ghost dog, may be more abundant than previously thought, though it is still not considered common. Over 594 sightings from 2001–2024 reveal densities around 15 dogs per 38.61 miles, with higher detections in protected areas where forest canopy is preserved. Scientists emphasize that the species is elusive and poorly studied, and stress protecting protected areas and Indigenous territories as key to its conservation.