Dingo breeding out of control

The Stock Journal

06 Aug, 2013

By MALCOLM SUTTON

 

DOGFIGHT: Pastoralists in South Australia s north are looking at
banding together to overcome increasing dingo numbers
 south of the dog fence. Supplied by Natural Resources SA Arid Lands.

 

PASTORALISTS south of the 'dog-proof' fence are reeling from soaring dingo numbers. Liberal member for Stuart Van Holst Pellekaan said numbers were getting out of control because of a series of good seasons, resulting in thriving native animals and pests such as rabbits, cats and foxes. Dingos were now breeding south of the fence faster than they could be controlled, with many pastoralists already reporting dingo culls numbering between 10 to 20 dogs this year. The poor condition of the fence was an ongoing worry, with floods washing-out sections of the fence that could not be repaired for weeks because of a lack of access - and feral camels pushing-down some sections. Dingoes were shot 10 kilometres north of Quorn on Monday and "just outside" Waikerie a few weeks ago. Pellekaan told Parliament last week that the animals were reaching plague proportions in northern SA. "If we do not get onto this issue, we will not have a sheep industry in South Australia - sheep for meat or sheep for wool," he said. SA's situation was "confounded" by pastoral leases being used for cultural, mining, tourism or environmental pursuits, with dingo control being overlooked - to the detriment of neighbours. Mr Pellekaan called on the government to support the formation of a working group of pastoralists representing the geography below the fence, such as had been suggested by Northern Flinders Ranges pastoralist Bill McIntosh. Pockets of wild dogs left uncontrolled south of the dog fence in Queensland had significantly damaged its sheep industry and SA had the chance to prevent it happening here. "We should use the pastoralists' knowledge, their experience and listen to them and find out firsthand exactly what needs to happen," Mr Pellekaan said. There was "ample evidence" that dingo numbers were increasing, and he was liaising with graziers in the region to consider their options. "This is a real issue that has implications for the future of SA, both on a livestock and community point of view, let alone the economic development aspect of it," he said.
"It's very early days for that group, but I feel confident that something will come out of the exercise." A Natural Resources SA Arid Lands spokesperson said 104,000 baits were delivered across 200,000 square kilometres in the region as part of the Biteback program in 2012-13 compared with 29,000 before the program in 2008-09. Biteback was funded by the SA sheep Industry Fund and the land-based Natural Resources Management levy. "It is widely acknowledged there has been a big increase in wild dog numbers in the past 10 years, due mainly to changes in enterprise and workforce inside the dog fence," she said. State Environment Minister Ian Hunter said Arid Lands was working closely with landowners and the sheep industry to tackle the issue. Landowners south of the fence were encouraged to take part in control programs, which included aerial and ground baiting, trapping and shooting. *Full report in Stock Journal, August 1 issue, 2013
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