Wild dog/dingo conservation, control and management: The impact beyond the paddock

Abstract

The impact of predation by dingoes/wild dogs on livestock creates extreme amounts of stress, angst and anger within rural communities. How do we return to a well-managed landscape and once again have positive communication between stakeholders? Wild dogs attack livestock. Dingoes attack livestock. This is the reality. Livestock predation has impacts that extend far beyond the animals that are attacked. It affects people. The basic tools for controlling dingoes are simple, traps, guns, fences and poison. Dingo control fails when these tools are not applied correctly, or one tool is relied on and overused. Proactive management is the only way to avoid generational problems. All stakeholders must invest in the issue. To me, this dilemma is not about the dingoes. It’s not just about the sheep and cattle, it’s about the people and our communities.