Recreational hunting in the NSW State Forests a report

[maddog]

Earthling,

There is no conclusive evidence that the number of either kangaroos or dingos has increased due to farmers water points, though some do assume this to be the case. However, we do know that both were distributed all over the Australian mainland before Europeans arrived. You assume that dingos and kangaroos are almost sessile, but the range of the dingo can be over 59,000 ha, with the number more closely related to the availability of prey than water. Furthermore, there is no relationship between red kangaroo densities and a distance to water (less than 6 km), while rabbits are well suited to arid environments. We know that rabbits, kangaroos, wallabies, and sheep are more commonly eaten by dingos than mice and other small native animals - and there is no hard evidence that proves that dingos threaten the populations of any small native animal. Many also believe that the number of foxes and cats will be controlled by the presence of dingos, as will the number of herbivorous animals that can damage the flora of arid landscapes - so dingos benefit biodiversity.

We know that there are (even in arid areas), naturally occurring sources of water such as drainage lines that will be sufficient to sustain these species even if a few bores are plugged, as the animals are well adapted to dry conditions and travel. We also know that the use of 10 80 baits on dingos is cheap, targeted, and highly effective in controlling dingo numbers. And finally, we know the fencing (that is expensive to erect and maintain) will need to deny access to all sources of water, be strong enough to withstand attack from animals such as camels, will be required to cover vast distances, and will disadvantage non-target species. Otherwise your scheme will be ineffective.

So yes Earthling, your scheme is indeed grand; a grand folly.


Allen B. & Flemming P., 2012. Reintroducing the Dingo: the risk of Dingo Predation to Threatened Vertebrates of Western NSW. Wildlife Research. Vol 39(1)
Allen, B. & Leung L.,2012. Assessing Predation Risk to Threatened Fauna from their Prevalence in Predator Scats: Dingos and Rodents in Arid Australia. PLOS One.
Allen, L. & Sparkes, E., 2001. The Effect of Dingo Control on Sheep and Beef Cattle in Queensland. Journal of Applied Ecology. Vol 38.
Brawata, R. & Neeman, T., 2011. Is Water the Key? Dingo Management, Intraguild Interactions and Predator Distribution Around Water Points in Arid Australia. Wildlife Research 38(5). 426-436.
Claridge A., et al, 2009. Satellite Tracking of Wild Dogs in South-Eastern Mainland Australian Forests: Implications for Management of a Problematic Top-Order Carnivore. Forest Ecology and Management. 814-822.
Fensham, R. & Fairfax R, 2008. Water Remoteness for Grazing Relief in Australian Arid-Lands. Biological Conservation,1447-1460.
Hogstrom, A, 1986. A changing Approach to Dingo Controls in Western Auctralia. Proceedings to the Twelth Vertebrate Pest Conference. Paper 30.

[Earthling]

So yes Earthling, your scheme is indeed grand; a grand folly.

I would not go that far, as I believe it does have merit, but each to their own I guess.