Fei, Shih-YuanShih-YuanFeiChiang, Jeng-TungJeng-TungChiangChang-Young FeiCHUNG-HSI CHOUTung, Meng-ChihMeng-ChihTung2018-09-102018-09-102012http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84870373362&partnerID=MN8TOARShttp://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/369586Statistical procedures for wildlife population estimation have been greatly improved since the last decade. For estimation of stray dog population size, however, the simple methods recommended by the 1990 WHO/WSPA guidelines seem to remain the popular favorites among researchers. Although the methods are very easy to use, their usefulness relies heavily on certain assumptions that are generally unrealistic. Using simulation studies, we conclude that Beck's method, one of the estimators recommended by the guidelines, performs fairly well and can be safely used to get a quick population estimate, as long as the underlying assumptions are not severely violated.Animal welfare; Capture-recapture; Heterogeneous capture probabilities; Photographic survey; Population size; Stray dogsjournal article10.1007/s10651-012-0197-02-s2.0-84870373362