Wildlife authorities fear an escaped cattle dog could spread a potentially deadly disease through Fraser Island's dingo population. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) says the cattle dog has not been sighted since escaping on Saturday from its home in Eurong, on the south of the island. Regional manager Rob Allan told AAP the escapee had been brought to the township illegally because domestic dogs are banned from the World Heritage-listed island. The QPWS said it was not searching for the dog because it could be anywhere. The Fraser Island Association says that in order to escape the dog would have had to breach a dingo fence surrounding the township. The association's president David Anderson said the fence was supposed to be electrified, but was ineffectual because it had been covered in sand for two months.
"The concern is, domestic animals can carry diseases and transmit them to dingoes that they come in contact with and the dingoes don't necessarily have immunity or resistance," Mr Anderson told AAP. "Potentially it is an ecological disaster. "It could wipe out or at least decimate the population of dingoes if there was a disease the dog was carrying." In the late 1970s, parvovirus spread by domestic dogs had a devastating impact on the island's dingo population. The virus can kill dogs and dingoes through gastrointestinal tract damage and dehydration. *9News
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Fraser Island Dingoes close camping areas
Authorities have closed two beach campsites on Queensland's Fraser Island because of a threat posed by two packs of aggressive dingoes. The Department of Environment and Resource Management closed off One Tree Rocks and Cornwells campsites on the southern end of the popular tourist destination. DERM spokesman Terry Harper said rangers were closely monitoring several dingoes that had been behaving aggressively toward people. "There have been two groups of juvenile dingoes seen circling and entering these two campsites near Lake Wabby over the past few weeks," Mr Harper said in a statement. "We believe they present an unacceptable risk to visitor safety at this location." The sites can accommodate up to 200 people. Mr Harper said affected campers had been notified and told they could be accommodated at other sites on the island. People caught feeding or making food available to dingoes face penalties of up to $4000. *Brisbane Times
Ed Comment, perhaps now they might admit they got the dingo management wrong......
Ed Comment, perhaps now they might admit they got the dingo management wrong......
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Fraser Island Dingoes 18/12/09
Dingoes
Nearly 75 per cent of dingoes euthanised on Fraser Island had been eating human food, including steak, an Easter egg, cornflakes, sausages and commercial dog food. Of 92 dingoes , 59 had human food in their guts, with some having no natural food at all. Autopsies confirmed the views of rangers and conservationists - that people continue to deliberately feed the wild animals, discard food or leave it where dogs can get it. This leads to dingoes being put down because they see humans as a food source and become aggressive. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers have been struggling since the death of Clinton Gage in 2001 to convince visitors - and, particularly, island residents - that feeding is a critical issue in dingo bad behaviour.
Climate Change Minister Kate Jones said autopsies were carried out on dingoes that were put down or that died in other ways, such as being run over. ``It shows dingo feeding has occurred on the island for years, despite the best efforts of (rangers),'' she said. ``A large variety of human food, such as fruit, dog food, bones, beetroot and even a chocolate Easter egg (have been found).'' Island conservationist Mike West said the figures showed those feeding dingoes were creating a problem and it was up to the department to work out where it had gone wrong. The department had previously declared its public education program as ``world's best practice''. ``World's best practice?'' Mr West asked. ``It's closer to world's worst.'' He said most aggression incidents occurred when young dingoes tried to dominate children but the policy of putting them down was over the top. ``Domestic dogs often do this but there are no calls to shoot them,'' Mr West said.
Shark and crocodile deaths were not avenged while dingoes on Fraser Island faced capital punishment. Mr West said the environment would suffer if dingo numbers continued to decline. There were already signs of change, with big goannas commonplace and making pests of themselves inside areas fenced off by rangers. Mr West said the dingo -management plan was clearly not working. Autopsies identified starvation in only one dog while 65 per cent were in good condition with above-average weight. Ms Jones urged Christmas campers and residents not to feed dingoes and to be alert. ``Right now is the most influential time for young dingoes as they explore their surroundings, learn survival skills and adopt good or bad habits,'' she said. ``For this reason, it is vitally important that humans are not associated with food or seen as a food source.'' Fed dingoes expected food and then taught their pups to scavenge, often leading to aggression. People feeding dingoes or leaving food out could be fined up to $4000. Campers should stay close to children and set up camp in fenced areas.
Facts and tips * By not feeding dingoes , you help protect them * Lock away food in strong containers, dingoes will eat anything * Secure rubbish, bury fish offal at least 30cm deep to discourage scavenging * Leave tent wide open so dingoes can see there's no food * Naturally curious, dingoes will approach humans but they do bite * Dingoes are lightning fast - stay within 2m of children * Dingoes are almost as big as a German shepherd * Fraser Island is one of the best places to see pure dingoes * Inbreeding with domestic dogs is threatening their survival * An important predator, they keep the environment in balance * Keep rabbit and feral cat numbers down * Naturally lean, some are sandy-yellow, others black and tan *Courier Mail
Ed Comment; Lots of misinformation in this article above . For a start, Freedom of Information documents have shown that most of the dingoes that have been killed have empty stomachs. We've said it before and we say it again, the Fraser Island Dingo Managment Plan is the worst wildlife management blunder ever committed in Queensland. The Queensland Government claims that dingoes are "naturally skinny" which is nonsense.....a skinny dog is a hungry dog, and thats why people feed them....and they willl never stop that from happening......noone likes to see a starving dog...except the Queensland Government!
Nearly 75 per cent of dingoes euthanised on Fraser Island had been eating human food, including steak, an Easter egg, cornflakes, sausages and commercial dog food. Of 92 dingoes , 59 had human food in their guts, with some having no natural food at all. Autopsies confirmed the views of rangers and conservationists - that people continue to deliberately feed the wild animals, discard food or leave it where dogs can get it. This leads to dingoes being put down because they see humans as a food source and become aggressive. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers have been struggling since the death of Clinton Gage in 2001 to convince visitors - and, particularly, island residents - that feeding is a critical issue in dingo bad behaviour.
Climate Change Minister Kate Jones said autopsies were carried out on dingoes that were put down or that died in other ways, such as being run over. ``It shows dingo feeding has occurred on the island for years, despite the best efforts of (rangers),'' she said. ``A large variety of human food, such as fruit, dog food, bones, beetroot and even a chocolate Easter egg (have been found).'' Island conservationist Mike West said the figures showed those feeding dingoes were creating a problem and it was up to the department to work out where it had gone wrong. The department had previously declared its public education program as ``world's best practice''. ``World's best practice?'' Mr West asked. ``It's closer to world's worst.'' He said most aggression incidents occurred when young dingoes tried to dominate children but the policy of putting them down was over the top. ``Domestic dogs often do this but there are no calls to shoot them,'' Mr West said.
Shark and crocodile deaths were not avenged while dingoes on Fraser Island faced capital punishment. Mr West said the environment would suffer if dingo numbers continued to decline. There were already signs of change, with big goannas commonplace and making pests of themselves inside areas fenced off by rangers. Mr West said the dingo -management plan was clearly not working. Autopsies identified starvation in only one dog while 65 per cent were in good condition with above-average weight. Ms Jones urged Christmas campers and residents not to feed dingoes and to be alert. ``Right now is the most influential time for young dingoes as they explore their surroundings, learn survival skills and adopt good or bad habits,'' she said. ``For this reason, it is vitally important that humans are not associated with food or seen as a food source.'' Fed dingoes expected food and then taught their pups to scavenge, often leading to aggression. People feeding dingoes or leaving food out could be fined up to $4000. Campers should stay close to children and set up camp in fenced areas.
Facts and tips * By not feeding dingoes , you help protect them * Lock away food in strong containers, dingoes will eat anything * Secure rubbish, bury fish offal at least 30cm deep to discourage scavenging * Leave tent wide open so dingoes can see there's no food * Naturally curious, dingoes will approach humans but they do bite * Dingoes are lightning fast - stay within 2m of children * Dingoes are almost as big as a German shepherd * Fraser Island is one of the best places to see pure dingoes * Inbreeding with domestic dogs is threatening their survival * An important predator, they keep the environment in balance * Keep rabbit and feral cat numbers down * Naturally lean, some are sandy-yellow, others black and tan *Courier Mail
Ed Comment; Lots of misinformation in this article above . For a start, Freedom of Information documents have shown that most of the dingoes that have been killed have empty stomachs. We've said it before and we say it again, the Fraser Island Dingo Managment Plan is the worst wildlife management blunder ever committed in Queensland. The Queensland Government claims that dingoes are "naturally skinny" which is nonsense.....a skinny dog is a hungry dog, and thats why people feed them....and they willl never stop that from happening......noone likes to see a starving dog...except the Queensland Government!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Eyewitness report from Fraser Island 20/11/09
Eyewitness report from Fraser Island
"I understand that DERM recently announced as part of their management strategy for FI, that dingoes would be discouraged (by hazing) from walking along the beach before 5pm and after 5am, in an attempt to keep them away from people.
This evening, at 5.45 pm, during an evening walk along the beach on FI I saw a young dingo bitch and her puppy patrolling the high tide line (clearly they have learnt the new rules). The bitch went over the dune and disappeared, but the pup lingered on the dune and was still visible from the beach but simply minding its own business when it was spotted by a ranger’s vehicle. The rangers stopped instantly, did an extremely tight u-turn and hazed the pup with a slingshot. The pup was hit, the shot frightened the life out of it, and it disappeared over the dune. The rangers then tore off down the beach.
I went over to investigate; it seemed the pup had run into a swamp type area and was howling. The bitch appeared and looked extremely concerned. She must have witnessed the event, and seemed too scared to come out of her hiding place to find her pup, which continued to howl.
If this is not disrupting pack structure, I don’t know what is. If this is not sport, I don’t know how else to describe it. Might I also add that the bitch had an ear that was tagged so badly the ear was drooping to the point of being closed, and it looked like some debris was lodged in the tag.
The bitch went in search of her pup, and I was left wondering what the management of Frazer island has come to, that innocent creatures are no longer allowed, within their DERM-allocated time slot, to go about their usual behaviors. There were a few other people on the beach at the time, I hope they didn’t see the disgraceful way that the rangers behaved towards our island’s most valuable tourist draw-card."
Ed Comment; This disgracefull behavior by FI Rangers against the dingoes is inexcusable. In spite of a decade of the community expressing concern to Government about the treatment of dingoes on Fraser Island, its all fallen on deaf ears.
"I understand that DERM recently announced as part of their management strategy for FI, that dingoes would be discouraged (by hazing) from walking along the beach before 5pm and after 5am, in an attempt to keep them away from people.
This evening, at 5.45 pm, during an evening walk along the beach on FI I saw a young dingo bitch and her puppy patrolling the high tide line (clearly they have learnt the new rules). The bitch went over the dune and disappeared, but the pup lingered on the dune and was still visible from the beach but simply minding its own business when it was spotted by a ranger’s vehicle. The rangers stopped instantly, did an extremely tight u-turn and hazed the pup with a slingshot. The pup was hit, the shot frightened the life out of it, and it disappeared over the dune. The rangers then tore off down the beach.
I went over to investigate; it seemed the pup had run into a swamp type area and was howling. The bitch appeared and looked extremely concerned. She must have witnessed the event, and seemed too scared to come out of her hiding place to find her pup, which continued to howl.
If this is not disrupting pack structure, I don’t know what is. If this is not sport, I don’t know how else to describe it. Might I also add that the bitch had an ear that was tagged so badly the ear was drooping to the point of being closed, and it looked like some debris was lodged in the tag.
The bitch went in search of her pup, and I was left wondering what the management of Frazer island has come to, that innocent creatures are no longer allowed, within their DERM-allocated time slot, to go about their usual behaviors. There were a few other people on the beach at the time, I hope they didn’t see the disgraceful way that the rangers behaved towards our island’s most valuable tourist draw-card."
Ed Comment; This disgracefull behavior by FI Rangers against the dingoes is inexcusable. In spite of a decade of the community expressing concern to Government about the treatment of dingoes on Fraser Island, its all fallen on deaf ears.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Dingoes 12/11/09
Fraser Island dingo protection activists have asked questions in the Queensland Parliament relating to Dr Laurie Corbett's qualifications to undertake an "independent" audit of the Fraser Island dingoes. Corbett devised the origonal Fraser Island Dingo Management Plan that has been widely criticised, and has accounted for the deaths of many of the Islands dingoes. He has just completed a so-called "independent" audit which claims every thing is okay, and the Management Plan is working! We suppose it all depends on what the Plan is meant to accomplish.......
Monday, November 2, 2009
Alpine Dingoes
A pair of rare alpine dingoes is heading north to call the Fraser Coast home. TESS Wildlife Sanctuary supervisor Ray Revill said yesterday that Queensland’s Department of Environment had told him this week that he could bring the dingoes from Victoria providing he built the fenced enclosure “according to our rules”. “I just have to raise the money to build the dingoes’ new home and I need to pay $600 to the wildlife sanctuary down south to buy the pups and $240 to fly them up here.” The dingoes, a male and female, are three months old. “One is reddish-blond and the other black and tan. They are both beautiful dogs and DNA tests done on them show they are pure dingo. There’s no dog in them at all.” Mr Revill said he had tried to convince EPA to let him have a couple of Fraser Island dingoes for his sanctuary “for educational purposes”. But they told me those dogs over there had never been successfully held or able to breed in captivity. “I was a ranger on the island for over seven years so I dispute that but rules are rules.”
The alpine dingo, a sub-species of the dingo, is on the verge of extinction. Former CSIRO dingo specialist Alan Newsome, who led the last investigation undertaken on the dingo more than 20 years ago, said in the late ’90s that the dingo was slowly but surely being wiped out as a result of cross-breeding or hybridisation with domestic breeds of dog that had turned feral. Les Hall of Griffith, one of only three breeders of alpine dingo in New South Wales at the time, said there were only 10 breeding pairs of the alpine dingo left in captivity in New South Wales and 25 in Australia. Estimates of wild alpine dingoes vary at around the 150 mark. Biologists consider a species to be extinct when there are fewer than 500. *Fraser Coast Chronicle
Ed Comment; Unfortunately the NSW Government has been aerial dropping 1080 poison over the alpine dingo habitat, to protect sheep farmers from stock losses. Like so many other species of wildlife, the Australian dingo is unlikey to survive in the wild, especially the alpines.
The alpine dingo, a sub-species of the dingo, is on the verge of extinction. Former CSIRO dingo specialist Alan Newsome, who led the last investigation undertaken on the dingo more than 20 years ago, said in the late ’90s that the dingo was slowly but surely being wiped out as a result of cross-breeding or hybridisation with domestic breeds of dog that had turned feral. Les Hall of Griffith, one of only three breeders of alpine dingo in New South Wales at the time, said there were only 10 breeding pairs of the alpine dingo left in captivity in New South Wales and 25 in Australia. Estimates of wild alpine dingoes vary at around the 150 mark. Biologists consider a species to be extinct when there are fewer than 500. *Fraser Coast Chronicle
Ed Comment; Unfortunately the NSW Government has been aerial dropping 1080 poison over the alpine dingo habitat, to protect sheep farmers from stock losses. Like so many other species of wildlife, the Australian dingo is unlikey to survive in the wild, especially the alpines.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Hybrid Wolves and Dingoes
The B.C. government's Vancouver Island wolf extermination program has allowed "monster" hybrids to take over the region, a team of scientists have said. From the 1920s until the 1970s, provincial officials tried to rid Vancouver Island of wolves so sport hunters would find it easier to hunt black-tailed deer, the wolves' principal prey.
So when a few hardy wolves swam across from the northern B.C. mainland in the early 1980s, some were unable to find mates. Instead, they mated with stray dogs. The result, according to researchers from the University of Sweden, the Smithsonian Institution and the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, was something never documented before in the wild, animals that were neither wolves nor dogs. Their research is published in the latest edition of the journal Conservation Genetics.
So-called wolf hybrids are bred purposely by some breeders as pets, though they are regarded by animal welfare groups as potentially dangerous. They had never been documented in the wild before.
This hybridisation is known in Australia too, between dingoes and stray dogs, usually dogs that have been lost by hunters. As some of these stray dogs are used for catching wild pigs, they are large and ferocious. Some bushwalkers have reported seeing wild dingo/dog hybrids with Great Dane heads and bodies. Clearly these are very dangerous animals. As well, the hybrids can breed twice a year, instead of only once year as dingoes.
Some of the last purebred dingoes in Australia are now believed to be on Fraser Island, where the Government is killng them off by starving them to death, and killing them if they think they may be a risk to tourists.
So when a few hardy wolves swam across from the northern B.C. mainland in the early 1980s, some were unable to find mates. Instead, they mated with stray dogs. The result, according to researchers from the University of Sweden, the Smithsonian Institution and the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, was something never documented before in the wild, animals that were neither wolves nor dogs. Their research is published in the latest edition of the journal Conservation Genetics.
So-called wolf hybrids are bred purposely by some breeders as pets, though they are regarded by animal welfare groups as potentially dangerous. They had never been documented in the wild before.
This hybridisation is known in Australia too, between dingoes and stray dogs, usually dogs that have been lost by hunters. As some of these stray dogs are used for catching wild pigs, they are large and ferocious. Some bushwalkers have reported seeing wild dingo/dog hybrids with Great Dane heads and bodies. Clearly these are very dangerous animals. As well, the hybrids can breed twice a year, instead of only once year as dingoes.
Some of the last purebred dingoes in Australia are now believed to be on Fraser Island, where the Government is killng them off by starving them to death, and killing them if they think they may be a risk to tourists.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Harvey Bay Dingo Day a Huge Success.
The Dingo Day at Hervey Bay was attended by hundreds of people, all keen to support the cessation of kiling the Fraser Island Dingoes. While the Queensland Government bumbles along in its usual incompetent fashion, dingoes are being killed for no good reason. No documented evidence is gathered to show the dingo is dangerous, they just have to look sideways at a tourist to be killed by a "Ranger". They same imbeded stupidity is shown by the Queensland Government towards shark nets. 20 years of lobbying to get rid of the shark nets (that kill hundreds of whales, dugongs, and turtles, all endangered) the Governemt refuses to consider removing them...all to protect the tourist Industry.
Some photos of the dingo Day are below, and the local newspaper report as well.
Gathered together to show their concern for the dingoes of Fraser Island, member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorensen addressed the crowd and warned that the purest strain of dingo in Australia could become the next Tasmanian tiger if dingo management on the island didn't change. Dingo Day was held at Apex Park in Hervey Bay yesterday and several volunteers walked around educating the crowd while Mr Sorensen delivered his address. There was also singing, dancing and story-telling from the Butchulla community, relating traditional tales of Fraser Island and the dingoes. Ensuring the dingoes' future should be a priority but questioned the State Government's management policies, he said. “Every time a dingo looks at someone they are destroyed.”
Mr Sorensen said the dingoes were an important part of what brought people to Fraser Island. “Let's be proud of what we've got.” Malcolm Kilpatrick, who helped organised the event, also spoke yesterday. “Ten or more (dingoes) have been killed on the island - and that's 10 too many,” he said. Mr Kilpatrick said it was great to see so many people out in support of the dingoes. “We have to make people aware of the plight of the dingoes. “That is why we are having this awareness day.” Butchulla elder Marie Wilkinson also spoke, saying she would do everything she could to fight for the dingoes. * Fraser Coast Chronicle
Some photos of the dingo Day are below, and the local newspaper report as well.
Gathered together to show their concern for the dingoes of Fraser Island, member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorensen addressed the crowd and warned that the purest strain of dingo in Australia could become the next Tasmanian tiger if dingo management on the island didn't change. Dingo Day was held at Apex Park in Hervey Bay yesterday and several volunteers walked around educating the crowd while Mr Sorensen delivered his address. There was also singing, dancing and story-telling from the Butchulla community, relating traditional tales of Fraser Island and the dingoes. Ensuring the dingoes' future should be a priority but questioned the State Government's management policies, he said. “Every time a dingo looks at someone they are destroyed.”
Mr Sorensen said the dingoes were an important part of what brought people to Fraser Island. “Let's be proud of what we've got.” Malcolm Kilpatrick, who helped organised the event, also spoke yesterday. “Ten or more (dingoes) have been killed on the island - and that's 10 too many,” he said. Mr Kilpatrick said it was great to see so many people out in support of the dingoes. “We have to make people aware of the plight of the dingoes. “That is why we are having this awareness day.” Butchulla elder Marie Wilkinson also spoke, saying she would do everything she could to fight for the dingoes. * Fraser Coast Chronicle
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Fraser Island Dingo Day
Save the Fraser Island Dingoes Committee are hosting a Dingo Day at Hervey Bay on the 20th September at Apex park, Pialba. from 10 am to 2 pm. Indigenous dancers, story telling, speakers, sausage sizzle, etc. Come along and learn about the Fraser Island dingo!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Fraser Island Dingoes Okay?
The Queensland government's strategy to manage Fraser Island's dingoes has been backed by an independent audit. The audit, by dingo expert Dr Laurie Corbett, has found the strategy of educating visitors, training rangers and erecting fencing in strategic locations, has reduced the risk posed to humans by dingoes on the popular holiday island. Environment Minister Kate Jones told state parliament on Tuesday there had been no incidents of dingo aggression within the fenced areas, and the audit had endorsed further training for rangers to educate visitors about dingo habits. Dr Corbett had also found evidence contrary to the popular opinion the island's dingoes were starving, Ms Jones said.
"His examination found there was an increase in the average size of the adult dingo on Fraser Island, from 16 kilograms to 18.3 kilograms," she said. "Most importantly Dr Corbett found that research to date has indicated that there is adequate natural prey for a sustainable dingo population on the island." Ms Jones said Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service would do further research to confirm this. The issue of dingoes on Fraser Island has split experts, with some saying the population is close to being wiped out.Ten dingoes have been destroyed this year, including one last month, after an attack on a four-year-old boy. *Sunshine Coast Daily
Ed Comment; No surprises here, Corbett designed the origonal Dingo Management Plan, now he produces an "independent report" saying everything is fine.....
"His examination found there was an increase in the average size of the adult dingo on Fraser Island, from 16 kilograms to 18.3 kilograms," she said. "Most importantly Dr Corbett found that research to date has indicated that there is adequate natural prey for a sustainable dingo population on the island." Ms Jones said Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service would do further research to confirm this. The issue of dingoes on Fraser Island has split experts, with some saying the population is close to being wiped out.Ten dingoes have been destroyed this year, including one last month, after an attack on a four-year-old boy. *Sunshine Coast Daily
Ed Comment; No surprises here, Corbett designed the origonal Dingo Management Plan, now he produces an "independent report" saying everything is fine.....
Dingoes should be re-introduced?
Dingoes
In South Australia the dog fence has been keeping dingo movements in the State's north out for over 100 years. A Sydney academic, University of Sydney Researcher Mike Letniksays dingoes should be allowed through the fence to roam in National Parks to control foxes and feral cats that threaten native wildlife. However, State Liberal MP Graham Gunn says pastoralists have enough pressure on them as it is, without having to worry about dingoes killing their sheep. *ABC
In South Australia the dog fence has been keeping dingo movements in the State's north out for over 100 years. A Sydney academic, University of Sydney Researcher Mike Letniksays dingoes should be allowed through the fence to roam in National Parks to control foxes and feral cats that threaten native wildlife. However, State Liberal MP Graham Gunn says pastoralists have enough pressure on them as it is, without having to worry about dingoes killing their sheep. *ABC
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Qld Gov. Search and Grab!
Following hot on the heels of a State and Federal Police raid on the NSW Animal Liberation offices in Sydney a few weeks ago, where all their kangaroo campaign material was siezed and removed, we now have another police raid....this time in Queensland....and this time on a private home. Last week Police and QPWS staff raided the home of a woman photographer on Fraser Island...at 7 am in the morning! Her computer hard drives, her dingo paintings, dingo fridge magnets, photographs, manuscripts, even the dingo autopsy reports gathered under FOI where seized and taken. On the search warrant, they were looking for dog food.
This is Queensland 2009, under a Labor Government!
Save the Fraser Island Dingo Committee are hosting a Dingo Day at Hervey Bay on the 20th September at Apex park, Pialba. from 10 am to 2 pm. Indigenous dancers, story telling, speakers, sausage sizzle, etc. Come along and learn about the Fraser Island dingo!
Our weekly wildlife newsletter Wildlife Bytes will be a tad late next week as we will be away, but much more is yet to come out about the terrible Fraser Island dingo eradication campaign mounted by the Queensland Government against the Fraser Island dingoes....and against those who fight to protect them.
Meanwhile the Fraser Island dingo eradication campaign continues. Queensland's Department of Environment says a dingo that lunged at a child on Fraser Island yesterday (28 th October) has been destroyed. The three-year-old boy was playing at Eurong Beach at the time of the incident. He was not injured. The female dingo involved was found and killed last night.
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Dingo grids are continually overflowing with sand allowing dingoes and visitors to walk across them, says Fraser Island resident Judi Daniel. “Only one year on, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on Fraser Island seems to have lost interest in maintaining its million dollar electrified dingo grids,” Ms Daniel said. “Having watched the beachfront grid at Eurong fill to overflowing with sand in recent weeks, in the space of five minutes I saw several groups of people casually walking across the electrified tripwires.” Ms Daniel described the grids as “totally overflowing” and said the front grid at Eurong filled up with sand “easily once a month”. She questioned the need for the grids considering the number of people and equipment used to clean them out. “Is it worth it?” Terry Harper, senior director of marine parks at the Department of Environment and Resource Management, has defended grid maintenance.
“The dingo grids are cleaned out as often as necessary. Frequency depends on the effects on sand movement, of wind velocity and direction, volume of rain and amount of vehicle traffic. “QPWS is working closely with Fraser Coast Regional Council engineers to improve the drainage system and consider design modifications for easier access to clean out sand from grids.” Mr Harper said electrified wires on the grids were the more important element in deterring dingoes from entering townships. *Network Item
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The State Government has defended the actions of Environment officers in raiding the home of a woman suspected of feeding dingoes on Fraser Island. A police officer and five Environment and Resource Management officers searched Jennifer Parkhurst's home early yesterday morning at Rainbow Beach, near the island's southern end. Opposition environment spokesman Glen Elmes accused the department of using Gestapo-style tactics to enforce its policies on culling dingoes – which are opposed by island residents, conservationists and animal rights activists. Mr Elmes said the raid raised bigger issues about the treatment of people who dared to question government policies. "This is the sort of thing you'd expect in the Joh Bjelke-Petersen days," he said. "This is a disgrace, using (government) staff like some sort of Gestapo agents.
"They've searched everything from her hard drive to her undie drawer. "Think of all the important issues over there like water quality, backpackers and visitor numbers, yet they put resources into something like this." Mr Elmes said locals had told him that trapped dingoes were injected with Suprelorin, a temporary chemical castration. Ms Parkhurst, a commercial photographer, said the six-hour raid started at 7am and photographs, videos, computer hard drives and personal material were seized. The warrant sought evidence of dry dog food, dried pig ears, butchery bones and Smackos, among other items. "I guess they are trying to find anything to show I've been feeding them," she said. "They say I've been interfering with dingoes while taking photos."
Ms Parkhurst would not say whether she had fed dingoes but said many islanders had. "Lots of people have been caught and fined," she said. "People have had dingoes sleeping in their houses and food bowls on their verandahs but none have had their houses searched like I have. "They don't like anyone telling them they are wrong. I've been trying to stop dogs being hazed and tagged, and juveniles being killed by rangers and they don't like it." A spokeswoman for Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said Mr Elmes' claims about the raid were unfounded and showed disregard for public safety.
Dingoes were creatures that should be interfered with as little as possible. Ms Parkhurst, a member of the National Dingo Preservation and Recovery Program, said she believed the raid stemmed from a freedom of information search she did on autopsies conducted on 95 dingoes euthanased by rangers. "I've been vocal about management and also have been writing a book," she said. "They've been trying to find out what's in it." *Courier Mail
This is Queensland 2009, under a Labor Government!
Save the Fraser Island Dingo Committee are hosting a Dingo Day at Hervey Bay on the 20th September at Apex park, Pialba. from 10 am to 2 pm. Indigenous dancers, story telling, speakers, sausage sizzle, etc. Come along and learn about the Fraser Island dingo!
Our weekly wildlife newsletter Wildlife Bytes will be a tad late next week as we will be away, but much more is yet to come out about the terrible Fraser Island dingo eradication campaign mounted by the Queensland Government against the Fraser Island dingoes....and against those who fight to protect them.
Meanwhile the Fraser Island dingo eradication campaign continues. Queensland's Department of Environment says a dingo that lunged at a child on Fraser Island yesterday (28 th October) has been destroyed. The three-year-old boy was playing at Eurong Beach at the time of the incident. He was not injured. The female dingo involved was found and killed last night.
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Dingo grids are continually overflowing with sand allowing dingoes and visitors to walk across them, says Fraser Island resident Judi Daniel. “Only one year on, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on Fraser Island seems to have lost interest in maintaining its million dollar electrified dingo grids,” Ms Daniel said. “Having watched the beachfront grid at Eurong fill to overflowing with sand in recent weeks, in the space of five minutes I saw several groups of people casually walking across the electrified tripwires.” Ms Daniel described the grids as “totally overflowing” and said the front grid at Eurong filled up with sand “easily once a month”. She questioned the need for the grids considering the number of people and equipment used to clean them out. “Is it worth it?” Terry Harper, senior director of marine parks at the Department of Environment and Resource Management, has defended grid maintenance.
“The dingo grids are cleaned out as often as necessary. Frequency depends on the effects on sand movement, of wind velocity and direction, volume of rain and amount of vehicle traffic. “QPWS is working closely with Fraser Coast Regional Council engineers to improve the drainage system and consider design modifications for easier access to clean out sand from grids.” Mr Harper said electrified wires on the grids were the more important element in deterring dingoes from entering townships. *Network Item
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The State Government has defended the actions of Environment officers in raiding the home of a woman suspected of feeding dingoes on Fraser Island. A police officer and five Environment and Resource Management officers searched Jennifer Parkhurst's home early yesterday morning at Rainbow Beach, near the island's southern end. Opposition environment spokesman Glen Elmes accused the department of using Gestapo-style tactics to enforce its policies on culling dingoes – which are opposed by island residents, conservationists and animal rights activists. Mr Elmes said the raid raised bigger issues about the treatment of people who dared to question government policies. "This is the sort of thing you'd expect in the Joh Bjelke-Petersen days," he said. "This is a disgrace, using (government) staff like some sort of Gestapo agents.
"They've searched everything from her hard drive to her undie drawer. "Think of all the important issues over there like water quality, backpackers and visitor numbers, yet they put resources into something like this." Mr Elmes said locals had told him that trapped dingoes were injected with Suprelorin, a temporary chemical castration. Ms Parkhurst, a commercial photographer, said the six-hour raid started at 7am and photographs, videos, computer hard drives and personal material were seized. The warrant sought evidence of dry dog food, dried pig ears, butchery bones and Smackos, among other items. "I guess they are trying to find anything to show I've been feeding them," she said. "They say I've been interfering with dingoes while taking photos."
Ms Parkhurst would not say whether she had fed dingoes but said many islanders had. "Lots of people have been caught and fined," she said. "People have had dingoes sleeping in their houses and food bowls on their verandahs but none have had their houses searched like I have. "They don't like anyone telling them they are wrong. I've been trying to stop dogs being hazed and tagged, and juveniles being killed by rangers and they don't like it." A spokeswoman for Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said Mr Elmes' claims about the raid were unfounded and showed disregard for public safety.
Dingoes were creatures that should be interfered with as little as possible. Ms Parkhurst, a member of the National Dingo Preservation and Recovery Program, said she believed the raid stemmed from a freedom of information search she did on autopsies conducted on 95 dingoes euthanased by rangers. "I've been vocal about management and also have been writing a book," she said. "They've been trying to find out what's in it." *Courier Mail
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
State Gov. Fraser Is. Dingo Audit..21/7/09
Dingoes
The State Government will undertake a dingo 'census' and erect dingo fencing with council around the main waste station on Fraser Island, Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Ms Jones said today. Ms Jones told her Budget Estimates hearing an independent audit of the State Government's Fraser Island Dingo Management Strategy was being finalised. She said these new measures would help form the Great Sandy Region package currently being implemented by the Bligh Government. "I'm advised world renowned dingo expert Dr Laurie Corbett is currently in the final stages of his audit," Ms Jones said. "While he's advised that there appears to be a healthy dingo population with enough natural prey, I want to be fully satisfied that dingoes are prevalent on the island. "I've approved a research project so we can be more certain of the numbers.
"While data collected over the past decade suggest the Fraser Island dingo population naturally fluctuates between about 100 and 200 animals, made up of 25 to 30 separate packs, we're due for another 'count'. "The Department of Environment and Resource Management is working with The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Biosecurity Queensland to draw together various techniques so that more accurate figures can be provided. "The survey will provide a better understanding not only of total numbers but also of other factors such as dingo dispersal across the island, the total number of packs, and the age and composition of those packs. "This type of information, together with that provided by Dr Corbett, will allow us to further fine-tune management strategies for a sustainable dingo population, while ensuring public safety." Ms Jones said DERM was always exploring ways to reduce the risk of human-dingo interaction and in the past had fenced major tourist areas and townships. "The waste transfer station at Eurong is a hot spot right now for dingoes seeking easy assess to human food," she said.
"DERM is working with the Fraser Coast Regional Council to erect dingo deterrent fencing around the area. "The State Government is providing $100,000 towards the project. "Visitor education regarding dingo awareness and safety procedures is also a vital part of our Strategy. "DERM is reviewing the communications strategies used to educate visitors and the public about appropriate behaviour near dingoes in line with my request in June to ensure the approach remains at world's best practice standards. "I reiterate that whatever dingo management activities are undertaken, our number one priority is public safety." Ms Jones said Dr Corbett's audit would be based on reports and statistical data from current research, field observations at major visitor locations, discussions with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers and more than 70 public submissions. "Dr Corbett's independent audit is part of a continuing assessment of existing management strategies to ensure they contribute to the conservation of a sustainable wild dingo population on Fraser Island while minimising the risk to humans," she said. "I will release his audit report when it is finalised." *ALP media Release
Ed Comment; Its a bit hard to see how this will be an independent audit, when it's done by the State Government, and by Laurie Corbett, the person responsible for the current Fraser Island Dingo Management Plan.
The State Government will undertake a dingo 'census' and erect dingo fencing with council around the main waste station on Fraser Island, Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Ms Jones said today. Ms Jones told her Budget Estimates hearing an independent audit of the State Government's Fraser Island Dingo Management Strategy was being finalised. She said these new measures would help form the Great Sandy Region package currently being implemented by the Bligh Government. "I'm advised world renowned dingo expert Dr Laurie Corbett is currently in the final stages of his audit," Ms Jones said. "While he's advised that there appears to be a healthy dingo population with enough natural prey, I want to be fully satisfied that dingoes are prevalent on the island. "I've approved a research project so we can be more certain of the numbers.
"While data collected over the past decade suggest the Fraser Island dingo population naturally fluctuates between about 100 and 200 animals, made up of 25 to 30 separate packs, we're due for another 'count'. "The Department of Environment and Resource Management is working with The University of Queensland, Griffith University and Biosecurity Queensland to draw together various techniques so that more accurate figures can be provided. "The survey will provide a better understanding not only of total numbers but also of other factors such as dingo dispersal across the island, the total number of packs, and the age and composition of those packs. "This type of information, together with that provided by Dr Corbett, will allow us to further fine-tune management strategies for a sustainable dingo population, while ensuring public safety." Ms Jones said DERM was always exploring ways to reduce the risk of human-dingo interaction and in the past had fenced major tourist areas and townships. "The waste transfer station at Eurong is a hot spot right now for dingoes seeking easy assess to human food," she said.
"DERM is working with the Fraser Coast Regional Council to erect dingo deterrent fencing around the area. "The State Government is providing $100,000 towards the project. "Visitor education regarding dingo awareness and safety procedures is also a vital part of our Strategy. "DERM is reviewing the communications strategies used to educate visitors and the public about appropriate behaviour near dingoes in line with my request in June to ensure the approach remains at world's best practice standards. "I reiterate that whatever dingo management activities are undertaken, our number one priority is public safety." Ms Jones said Dr Corbett's audit would be based on reports and statistical data from current research, field observations at major visitor locations, discussions with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers and more than 70 public submissions. "Dr Corbett's independent audit is part of a continuing assessment of existing management strategies to ensure they contribute to the conservation of a sustainable wild dingo population on Fraser Island while minimising the risk to humans," she said. "I will release his audit report when it is finalised." *ALP media Release
Ed Comment; Its a bit hard to see how this will be an independent audit, when it's done by the State Government, and by Laurie Corbett, the person responsible for the current Fraser Island Dingo Management Plan.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
History unfairly used in the war against the Dingoes!
"The dingo isnt native to Australia and only arrived here 3,500-4,500 years ago It is just a mongrel dog from Asia and we should just kill the wholebloody lot." I often hear and read this stance used as an argument as to why the dingo should have no place here on Australian shores and should in fact be kept on the vermin list. It is very effective in convincing the average person that this animal is feral and non native to Australia and so should be classified in the newly arrived feral category such as the fox, the cat and the rabbit.
It is used time and time again in the belief that it will help their cause to eradicate this ecologically important animal and many do actually accept this without putting too much thought into just how long 4,000 years really is in the timeline. Let me help put this into perspective for you and lets take a brief look at history.
We will start at approximately 4,000 years ago when the dingo was thought to have first arrived on our shores:·
The Sumerians were still in existence, although about to disappear as recognisable people after being over run by the Amorites.·
Babylon existed and was heavily into agriculture·
Troy was also in existence.·
The Sahara desert was still fertile and green.·
The wheel was just being introduced, especially on the Egyptianchariots. ·
Although metal was being introduced for tools in certain circles andareas, the average person was still using stone tools.
During the dingo's first 1,000 years here in Australia, great names such as Confucius, King Solomon, Homer, Pythagoras, Ramses II were living out theirlives around the world. During the next thousand years the likes ofSocrates and Plato and Alexander the Great were now living out their livestoo.The dingo had already been in Australia approx 1,500-2,000 years when Stonehenge was being built in the UK, when Sparta (yes that nation that wasfeatured in the movie 300) were still strong and the Roman Empire wascontemplating expansion.
I could point out many more events that give you an idea of just how longthe dingo really has been Australian, but I think you will be starting tounderstand the reality of how ludicrous this Onon-native¹ argument is bynow. These animals have been on our shores a long time and have certainlyhad plenty of time to adapt and become an integral part of the ecosystem. Studies show that they keep the ecosystem healthy and to lose our apexpredator would impact greatly on this fragile land.
Some elements of the farming community will also have us believe that these dingoes are responsible for the 20 native species of fauna that havedisappeared off our shores over the last 200 years or so. They would have you believe that the dingo is munching it's way relentlessly through our wildlife and so is a scourge to the nation. The question I would be asking these people is how come this has only become a major problem in the last 200 years or so and not for the prior 4,000 years before that?
Why is itthat this appalling extinction rate seems to coincide with the arrival ofwhite Europeans to this shore, who brought with them European farmingpractices which were never sustainable or suitable for such an ancient andfragile continent.I will finish with one more important event to remember to bring things into true perspective, our dingo had already been trotting round andadapting to our Australian bush for approx 2,000 years before the most famous name known to the western world was born in Bethlehem.
Yes... our dingo was well established here in our eco system when Jesus Christ was born and true Christianity as we know it began. Surely after all this time, the dingo has earned a title of Australian Native and not the 'feral pest' that it has at the moment. Maybe instead of driving yet another mammalian species into extinction, we should be finding a middle ground with the agricultural industry and the environmentalists and put these wrongs right and save this magnificent species before all we are left with are photos and the condemnation of future generations. * by Alison Oborn, source unknown.
It is used time and time again in the belief that it will help their cause to eradicate this ecologically important animal and many do actually accept this without putting too much thought into just how long 4,000 years really is in the timeline. Let me help put this into perspective for you and lets take a brief look at history.
We will start at approximately 4,000 years ago when the dingo was thought to have first arrived on our shores:·
The Sumerians were still in existence, although about to disappear as recognisable people after being over run by the Amorites.·
Babylon existed and was heavily into agriculture·
Troy was also in existence.·
The Sahara desert was still fertile and green.·
The wheel was just being introduced, especially on the Egyptianchariots. ·
Although metal was being introduced for tools in certain circles andareas, the average person was still using stone tools.
During the dingo's first 1,000 years here in Australia, great names such as Confucius, King Solomon, Homer, Pythagoras, Ramses II were living out theirlives around the world. During the next thousand years the likes ofSocrates and Plato and Alexander the Great were now living out their livestoo.The dingo had already been in Australia approx 1,500-2,000 years when Stonehenge was being built in the UK, when Sparta (yes that nation that wasfeatured in the movie 300) were still strong and the Roman Empire wascontemplating expansion.
I could point out many more events that give you an idea of just how longthe dingo really has been Australian, but I think you will be starting tounderstand the reality of how ludicrous this Onon-native¹ argument is bynow. These animals have been on our shores a long time and have certainlyhad plenty of time to adapt and become an integral part of the ecosystem. Studies show that they keep the ecosystem healthy and to lose our apexpredator would impact greatly on this fragile land.
Some elements of the farming community will also have us believe that these dingoes are responsible for the 20 native species of fauna that havedisappeared off our shores over the last 200 years or so. They would have you believe that the dingo is munching it's way relentlessly through our wildlife and so is a scourge to the nation. The question I would be asking these people is how come this has only become a major problem in the last 200 years or so and not for the prior 4,000 years before that?
Why is itthat this appalling extinction rate seems to coincide with the arrival ofwhite Europeans to this shore, who brought with them European farmingpractices which were never sustainable or suitable for such an ancient andfragile continent.I will finish with one more important event to remember to bring things into true perspective, our dingo had already been trotting round andadapting to our Australian bush for approx 2,000 years before the most famous name known to the western world was born in Bethlehem.
Yes... our dingo was well established here in our eco system when Jesus Christ was born and true Christianity as we know it began. Surely after all this time, the dingo has earned a title of Australian Native and not the 'feral pest' that it has at the moment. Maybe instead of driving yet another mammalian species into extinction, we should be finding a middle ground with the agricultural industry and the environmentalists and put these wrongs right and save this magnificent species before all we are left with are photos and the condemnation of future generations. * by Alison Oborn, source unknown.
Saving Fraser dingoes of 'international significance'
Protection call: A Fraser Island dingo (AAP: Jim Shrimpton) Groups concerned about Fraser Island's dingo management will today give a list of demands to the Queensland Government. The groups include the National Dingo Preservation and Recovery Program (NDPRP), the Humane Society International and the Gubbi Gubbi Indigenous people. They say the Fraser Island dingoes in the state's south-east are a conservation asset of international significance. NDPRP president Dr Ian Gunn says the dingoes are at risk of disappearing because of current management practices.
"Do we really want to see the dingo go the same way as the tasmanian tiger did and [be] shot out or culled out?" he said. "You do need to maintain areas of population that we've got now, even though they are fragmented." He says dingoes considered a risk to tourists should be relocated to wildlife reserves in western Queensland rather than be killed. "These properties I'm talking about, bound on the Simpson Desert area - they're huge areas of land were a lot of marsupials are," Dr Gunn said. "There's a great need to control the foxes and cats in those areas and the dingo has been shown to be the ideal animal to do that." * Ourbrisbane.com
"Do we really want to see the dingo go the same way as the tasmanian tiger did and [be] shot out or culled out?" he said. "You do need to maintain areas of population that we've got now, even though they are fragmented." He says dingoes considered a risk to tourists should be relocated to wildlife reserves in western Queensland rather than be killed. "These properties I'm talking about, bound on the Simpson Desert area - they're huge areas of land were a lot of marsupials are," Dr Gunn said. "There's a great need to control the foxes and cats in those areas and the dingo has been shown to be the ideal animal to do that." * Ourbrisbane.com
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Dingoes help Survival of Small Animals!
New research shows small native animals in the Northern Territory seem to benefit from the presence of dingoes. Dr Mike Letnic from the University of Sydney has studied areas in central Australia on either side of a dingo fence. He found that rather than reducing the numbers of small native animals, dingoes seem to encourage them to flourish because dingoes suppress predators such as foxes. "The Territory mainly consists of Aboriginal land and cattle grazing areas," he said. "And in these areas dingoes are quite common. This is probably why the ecosystems of the Territory are relatively healthy. They have lots of native animals when compared to the sheep grazing country in South Australia and New South Wales." *ABC
My Golden Friends, By Lily Bastin, Written in 1994.
Roughly 28 years ago saw the beginning of my love for the dingo of Fraser Island. Being a very keen fisherwoman, the dingoes were always close by hoping to be fed a meal of fresh fish, which they loved. If you were too mean to feed them a few fish, they would help themselves from your catch in the bucket. I for one never minded, as there was plenty of fish to be caught in those days, and naturally the dingo still hangs around the beach looking for handouts.
The first dingo to attach itself to me personally was a young female. She just arrived from the bush, sat about at a distance watching me making a garden and coming closer all the time. Eventually she followed me from place to place in the garden. She was a loner and we became fast friends. All she wanted was company, and I didnt feed her in those days. There was plenty of feed for the dingoes, and not many tourists. I dubbed her Sally. Even when I was off the island she must have remained near home because when I came home to the island, in no time at all Sally would arrive, much to my joy. Then one day disaster struck. A young neighbour came to me to tell me Sally was lying dead on the beach. Much to my sorrow she had been deliberately run over by a 4 wheel drive, which the tourists and residents did quite often in those days. Its hard to imagine that people do these things to Gods creatures.
I didnt become attached to one particular dingo for a few years after that, and then a male made himself at home at my place. He never allowed any dingoes who came with him to stay. This went on for years until he became an old dog, mainly through fights by the look of him, and one day I saw him chased out of the Valley through my place by one of his sons and I never saw that old fellow Ding No. 1 again.
Then we had Ding's son taking over the Valley, so I just called him the same, Ding, which was just short for dingo, and he was with us for about 14 years. Now we had our new Ding, and very handsome he was, and it was only a short time later he brought his mate with him and our young lady dingo was in pup. They would lay around on the hillside of home resting, and even then Im sure they knew they were safe wherever I was. And the same applies to this very day since inside or near my home they must know they are away from harm.
There was so much feed for them then, the cattle (which National Parks eventually destroyed) and they also had the wild horses (brumbies), another food supply, and National Parks destroyed those also. Then they closed the tips, and removed almost the last food supply for the dingoes. Despite all this, Ding and Lady, as we called her (after all it was his lady dingo) had their pups each year. Hardly any survived, because the residents and visitors would shoot them, as so many seem to hate dingoes, especially if they come from the land. (farmers etc). I could never understand why they had to destroy our beautiful dingoes. Ah! what wonderful sport for our human males to destroy, maim and kill.
Ding and Lady were never any trouble to anyone, nor did they harm anyone, and gradually as their food supply went, so some of us in the Valley began to feed them any scraps we had, and Ding and Lady started bringing their family along. It was wonderful to watch. The mother, Lady, would go to the food and eat. She would allow her mate to eat with her or in turn he would sometimes allow her to eat with him, but the young ones dare not approach the bowl. When the parents left the food, the young ones ate.
Lady was always a sweetie, she would arrive at home near the door giving a yappy bark until I went out to talk to her and she would like very much to get a sweet biscuit. She would stay there licking my hand and arm as though saying, may I have a sweet biscuit. Give her even one and away she would go. How we loved that Lady. Ding would sit further away and watch all this, but he never went near a human being.
This pair of dingoes carried on in this fashion all over the years. Lady and Ding would go walkabout, I suppose to hunt. They would take all their young family with them miles and miles into the rainforest. They might be gone 3 or 4 days, but they always came home to the Valley. After each Christmas the numbers in the family were always down to Ding, Lady and two or three of the offspring. You would report hearing shots to National Parks, and you would know you would be down a dingo. Because no-one could be caught or blamed, it still goes on. In November 1993 we lost our Lady. She is now dead and we do not know how. When I questioned National Park rangers, they merely said she must have got sick and died. She was perfectly healthy.
Now Ding only had orphans left in the family, which he took under his fatherly care. He took them with him on walks. As he got older, he became a very beaten-up old man who got very tired. He looked after his family until early this year (1994) when he was caught in a dingo trap, as was one of the young ones, and shot by National Parks, on orders from the Minister of the Environment. So ends the lives of our Lady, about 12 years old, and Ding, who was then about 14 years old.
We are now treasuring the only one son of Lady and Ding called Hoppy, who hops along because of a bullet wound, and who is grandson of the old pair Handsome, and my dear golden girl I called Miss Pretty, who is the granddaughter of our dear Lady and Ding. Also Little Orphan Annie, named because she was orphaned when her parents were shot.
Lily wrote this sad story in 1994. By 1998 when Lily was forced to leave the Island due to ill health, all of her beloved dingoes had been killed by the Queenland National Parks and Wildlife Service. When we last heard from Lily, she was over 80 years old and lived on the mainland, and was still campaigning for the protection of The Fraser Island dingoes.
The first dingo to attach itself to me personally was a young female. She just arrived from the bush, sat about at a distance watching me making a garden and coming closer all the time. Eventually she followed me from place to place in the garden. She was a loner and we became fast friends. All she wanted was company, and I didnt feed her in those days. There was plenty of feed for the dingoes, and not many tourists. I dubbed her Sally. Even when I was off the island she must have remained near home because when I came home to the island, in no time at all Sally would arrive, much to my joy. Then one day disaster struck. A young neighbour came to me to tell me Sally was lying dead on the beach. Much to my sorrow she had been deliberately run over by a 4 wheel drive, which the tourists and residents did quite often in those days. Its hard to imagine that people do these things to Gods creatures.
I didnt become attached to one particular dingo for a few years after that, and then a male made himself at home at my place. He never allowed any dingoes who came with him to stay. This went on for years until he became an old dog, mainly through fights by the look of him, and one day I saw him chased out of the Valley through my place by one of his sons and I never saw that old fellow Ding No. 1 again.
Then we had Ding's son taking over the Valley, so I just called him the same, Ding, which was just short for dingo, and he was with us for about 14 years. Now we had our new Ding, and very handsome he was, and it was only a short time later he brought his mate with him and our young lady dingo was in pup. They would lay around on the hillside of home resting, and even then Im sure they knew they were safe wherever I was. And the same applies to this very day since inside or near my home they must know they are away from harm.
There was so much feed for them then, the cattle (which National Parks eventually destroyed) and they also had the wild horses (brumbies), another food supply, and National Parks destroyed those also. Then they closed the tips, and removed almost the last food supply for the dingoes. Despite all this, Ding and Lady, as we called her (after all it was his lady dingo) had their pups each year. Hardly any survived, because the residents and visitors would shoot them, as so many seem to hate dingoes, especially if they come from the land. (farmers etc). I could never understand why they had to destroy our beautiful dingoes. Ah! what wonderful sport for our human males to destroy, maim and kill.
Ding and Lady were never any trouble to anyone, nor did they harm anyone, and gradually as their food supply went, so some of us in the Valley began to feed them any scraps we had, and Ding and Lady started bringing their family along. It was wonderful to watch. The mother, Lady, would go to the food and eat. She would allow her mate to eat with her or in turn he would sometimes allow her to eat with him, but the young ones dare not approach the bowl. When the parents left the food, the young ones ate.
Lady was always a sweetie, she would arrive at home near the door giving a yappy bark until I went out to talk to her and she would like very much to get a sweet biscuit. She would stay there licking my hand and arm as though saying, may I have a sweet biscuit. Give her even one and away she would go. How we loved that Lady. Ding would sit further away and watch all this, but he never went near a human being.
This pair of dingoes carried on in this fashion all over the years. Lady and Ding would go walkabout, I suppose to hunt. They would take all their young family with them miles and miles into the rainforest. They might be gone 3 or 4 days, but they always came home to the Valley. After each Christmas the numbers in the family were always down to Ding, Lady and two or three of the offspring. You would report hearing shots to National Parks, and you would know you would be down a dingo. Because no-one could be caught or blamed, it still goes on. In November 1993 we lost our Lady. She is now dead and we do not know how. When I questioned National Park rangers, they merely said she must have got sick and died. She was perfectly healthy.
Now Ding only had orphans left in the family, which he took under his fatherly care. He took them with him on walks. As he got older, he became a very beaten-up old man who got very tired. He looked after his family until early this year (1994) when he was caught in a dingo trap, as was one of the young ones, and shot by National Parks, on orders from the Minister of the Environment. So ends the lives of our Lady, about 12 years old, and Ding, who was then about 14 years old.
We are now treasuring the only one son of Lady and Ding called Hoppy, who hops along because of a bullet wound, and who is grandson of the old pair Handsome, and my dear golden girl I called Miss Pretty, who is the granddaughter of our dear Lady and Ding. Also Little Orphan Annie, named because she was orphaned when her parents were shot.
Lily wrote this sad story in 1994. By 1998 when Lily was forced to leave the Island due to ill health, all of her beloved dingoes had been killed by the Queenland National Parks and Wildlife Service. When we last heard from Lily, she was over 80 years old and lived on the mainland, and was still campaigning for the protection of The Fraser Island dingoes.
The Sad story of the Fraser Island Dingoes!
In 1989 almost all of Fraser Island was declared a National Park. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service took over the management of Fraser Island from the Forestry. The first thing they did was kill or remove all the wild brumbies and cattle on the Island. The cruelty involved in that exercise is a story in itself. Then they closed all the tips, and stopped fishermen from leaving fish scraps on the beach for the dingoes. Dingo numbers at this time were thought to be around 300, although there has never been a scientific count. Within a year or so, the dingoes had eaten most of the natural wildlife and were starving.
The first ever recorded case of harassment of campers for food occurred in 1990. In 1994-5, after more harassment of campers, QPWS decided to kill a few dingoes. They are thought to have killed about 50. Of course, they shot the harmless and easily found animals that were being fed by residents and resort staff. Dingo clans were fractured, young dogs were left without parents to teach them, alpha males and females were killed. 47 dingo skulls later turned up at the Queensland Museum. The remaining dingoes were still starving, and the harassment of campers continued. In 1997 the QPWS produced their Fraser Island Draft Dingo Management Strategy. It was an awful document, and recommended using electric cattle prods, non-lethal poison baits to discourage them from eating human food, shooting dingoes with rubber bullets, and more killing. Giving them poison baits to make them sick had already been trialled in 1996 by QPWS. Letters sent to the RSPCA in 1997 about the cruelty involved in this baiting, still remain unanswered.
The Plan still didn’t address the real issue, how to provide food for the starving dogs. Most groups rejected it out of hand. This draft plan sat in limbo for nearly three years, and the 37 submissions to the plan were ignored. Several letters to the relevant Minister about the status of the Draft produced no response. Harassment of campers continued. In June, 2001, in the first ever confirmed dingo fatality in Australia, the tragic death of a child on Fraser Island dominated the world media.
Overriding any consultation or management processes that were under way, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie immediately ordered a dingo kill. I was in Brisbane, and tried to get a meeting with the Environment Minister, but he had locked himself in his room and wouldn’t come out. Indigenous groups and the Wilderness Society went to Court to gain an injunction to stop the kill. They failed, because they never had enough time to present a substantial case, and the Judge ordered that no more that 30 dingos be killed, (based on erroneous media reports that there were 200 resident dingoes) and the kill must stop by Saturday evening, regardless. 28 of the native dogs were shot, brutally and unnecessarily. Allegations of cruelty have been made, but the RSPCA, who have just received a $250,000 grant from the Government, have not taken any action. Fortunately, some residents moved some younger dogs out of harms way.
Because the Government had an urgency to kill as many as possible before the deadline, and to shift the blame for this fatality from themselves to the dingoes, again the easily accessible dogs were killed first. These included the many dingoes that lay around doing no harm to anyone. The Eurong group, and the clan of beautiful golden dogs, which lived around the Orchid beach servo and store, were killed. These animals lived around the servo, never worrying anyone, and were a constant source of delight to tourists and visitors to the northern part of the Island. Some of the indigenous owners of the Island sent the Premier a bill for $1500 dollars compensation per dog. They also started to build a fence around a camping area near Dilli Village, as a gesture to keep people away from the dingoes.
So then the inevitable happened again. Within a few days, other dogs moved in to take their place, and one camping area had to be closed, because they were not allowed, under the court decision, to kill any more. The figure of 200 dingoes on the Island is a guesstimate by QPWS that was cited in the three years old Draft Dingo Management Plan that was roundly criticised by most parties. Our information, based on reports from residents and visitors, and our own experiences on the Island, is that there currently may only be between 50 an 80 dingoes left on the Island, before the latest kill. There still hasn’t been an accurate scientific survey done on the dingo population.
For three days, the 16th, 17th, and 18th May 2001 I again visited Fraser Island with Sue Arnold, coordinator of Australians for Animals. During our stay I spoke to many people, tourists, residents, workers at the resorts, and campers about dingoes. Everyone I spoke to was appalled at the recent dingo cull. Many locals where afraid that the QPWS would start dropping poison baits. In spite of QPWS stating many times in the past that that they do not use 1080 in or around National Parks, in a story in the Courier Mail 22nd May, they admit that they do. While on the Island, I helped the indigenous people to feed the dingoes fish, and assisted in setting up a regular feeding program with the aboriginal people. The purpose was to attempt to keep the dingoes inland, and away from the guns of the Queensland government.
In the Fraser Is. community there was a strong feeling of disgust and anger, not only that the kill occurred, but in the cruel manner in which the dingoes were killed. A .22 rifle was used, and this is easily verified by looking at media photos of the shooting. A .22 calibre rifle is totally inappropriate for this type of killing. These rifles are used for rabbits, and should never have been used on a larger animal. According to many residents, at least 4 animals were wounded, and escaped into the bush. One later bled to death in Central Station Ck. One absolutely harmless dog lived around a resort many, many miles away from the site of the recent fatality. “Socks” would occasionally jump in the pool for a swim, then lie in the sun in front of the pub to dry out.
Socks was shot but not killed, and returned to the resort 2 days later with a bullet hole in her face. QPWS had to come back and kill her. Tourists, staff, and guests loved this harmless animal, which was brutally killed by QPWS rangers on the orders of Premier Peter Beattie. Several locals told me they believe over 40 dingoes have been killed. We were also told that some QPWS rangers are in stress because of the massacre, and are being counselled.
Many “solutions” have been tendered by many so-called experts, including tourists carrying stones to throw at the dingoes, or sticks to threaten them with. Some have suggested heavy fines for feeding dingoes, not understanding that these are not lions or tigers, they are dogs, and there are few people who will not feed a hungry dog. The bottom line is that these animals are starving, and unless they are fed with a properly structured and authorised feeding program, they will continue to be a problem and another person may die.
The Fraser Island dingoes are the last almost purebred dingoes left anywhere in the World. Their already slim genetic strength has been decimated, in an act of sheer revenge, to satisfy the bloodlust of a dictatorial Premier, who seems to have lost his marbles. Like most Australians I was saddened and sickened by the unwarranted massacre of the Fraser Island dingoes.
Currently the Government is undertaking a “risk management strategy” which is being compiled by the same people, and the same agencies, which caused the dingo problem in the first place. We have little confidence in the outcome. The Government has trotted out a few “experts” who know nothing about Fraser Island, but who sit in a city office making media statements to back up the Governments actions.
Any strategies developed are useless unless the fundamental issue is dealt with—the dogs are starving.
6 or 8 feeding stations inland away from the tourist areas, serviced with dry dog food each week or so, would solve the problem immediately. The dogs would initially argue for territory amongst themselves, but they would quickly get to know that food was available at those places if they were hungry, and if they wanted to hunt they would. Purpose-built hoppers, protected from rain, and a foot or so off the ground to prevent scavenging by bandicoots, (if there are any left) would solve the problem. Dry dog food is balanced, nutritious, and doesn’t smell, or pose health risks. The hoppers should be placed near water.
Further advantages are that the native dogs could be monitored at the sites, put to sleep with a dart gun and tagged if required. Contraceptives could be added to the food if necessary. The island doesn’t support enough wildlife now to feed even a handful of dogs. Feeding stations would also reduce the impact of the dingoes on the few remaining native animals and birds. Those dogs which liked human company, and many do, would no longer be a threat to campers when they decided to visit. Obviously the whole process must be transparent.
Enforcement of rules banning campers from feeding dogs which visit camps should continue. However, even the heaviest of fines will not stop many people from feeding starving dingoes. Most people love dogs, many have had beautiful relationships with a dog at some time in their life. There are very few people who will not feed a starving dog. Heavy fines will not stop it, but seeing an obviously well fed dog will reduce the practice. We dispute statements that dingoes are naturally skinny. They are not. Dingoes in areas of heavy road kills, or in good hunting areas, are often in very good condition. In other states where dingoes can be kept as pets under permit, and properly fed, they are magnificent animals.
Those people who argue the dingoes should be able to feed themselves from island wildlife have little idea of the paucity of island fauna. If there were enough natural food there, the dingoes would not be starving now, and they are. The Fraser Island dingo massacre has imposed a great shame on all Australians, and the Beattie government will never ever be able to live down this horrific crime against nature. Pat O’Brien
The first ever recorded case of harassment of campers for food occurred in 1990. In 1994-5, after more harassment of campers, QPWS decided to kill a few dingoes. They are thought to have killed about 50. Of course, they shot the harmless and easily found animals that were being fed by residents and resort staff. Dingo clans were fractured, young dogs were left without parents to teach them, alpha males and females were killed. 47 dingo skulls later turned up at the Queensland Museum. The remaining dingoes were still starving, and the harassment of campers continued. In 1997 the QPWS produced their Fraser Island Draft Dingo Management Strategy. It was an awful document, and recommended using electric cattle prods, non-lethal poison baits to discourage them from eating human food, shooting dingoes with rubber bullets, and more killing. Giving them poison baits to make them sick had already been trialled in 1996 by QPWS. Letters sent to the RSPCA in 1997 about the cruelty involved in this baiting, still remain unanswered.
The Plan still didn’t address the real issue, how to provide food for the starving dogs. Most groups rejected it out of hand. This draft plan sat in limbo for nearly three years, and the 37 submissions to the plan were ignored. Several letters to the relevant Minister about the status of the Draft produced no response. Harassment of campers continued. In June, 2001, in the first ever confirmed dingo fatality in Australia, the tragic death of a child on Fraser Island dominated the world media.
Overriding any consultation or management processes that were under way, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie immediately ordered a dingo kill. I was in Brisbane, and tried to get a meeting with the Environment Minister, but he had locked himself in his room and wouldn’t come out. Indigenous groups and the Wilderness Society went to Court to gain an injunction to stop the kill. They failed, because they never had enough time to present a substantial case, and the Judge ordered that no more that 30 dingos be killed, (based on erroneous media reports that there were 200 resident dingoes) and the kill must stop by Saturday evening, regardless. 28 of the native dogs were shot, brutally and unnecessarily. Allegations of cruelty have been made, but the RSPCA, who have just received a $250,000 grant from the Government, have not taken any action. Fortunately, some residents moved some younger dogs out of harms way.
Because the Government had an urgency to kill as many as possible before the deadline, and to shift the blame for this fatality from themselves to the dingoes, again the easily accessible dogs were killed first. These included the many dingoes that lay around doing no harm to anyone. The Eurong group, and the clan of beautiful golden dogs, which lived around the Orchid beach servo and store, were killed. These animals lived around the servo, never worrying anyone, and were a constant source of delight to tourists and visitors to the northern part of the Island. Some of the indigenous owners of the Island sent the Premier a bill for $1500 dollars compensation per dog. They also started to build a fence around a camping area near Dilli Village, as a gesture to keep people away from the dingoes.
So then the inevitable happened again. Within a few days, other dogs moved in to take their place, and one camping area had to be closed, because they were not allowed, under the court decision, to kill any more. The figure of 200 dingoes on the Island is a guesstimate by QPWS that was cited in the three years old Draft Dingo Management Plan that was roundly criticised by most parties. Our information, based on reports from residents and visitors, and our own experiences on the Island, is that there currently may only be between 50 an 80 dingoes left on the Island, before the latest kill. There still hasn’t been an accurate scientific survey done on the dingo population.
For three days, the 16th, 17th, and 18th May 2001 I again visited Fraser Island with Sue Arnold, coordinator of Australians for Animals. During our stay I spoke to many people, tourists, residents, workers at the resorts, and campers about dingoes. Everyone I spoke to was appalled at the recent dingo cull. Many locals where afraid that the QPWS would start dropping poison baits. In spite of QPWS stating many times in the past that that they do not use 1080 in or around National Parks, in a story in the Courier Mail 22nd May, they admit that they do. While on the Island, I helped the indigenous people to feed the dingoes fish, and assisted in setting up a regular feeding program with the aboriginal people. The purpose was to attempt to keep the dingoes inland, and away from the guns of the Queensland government.
In the Fraser Is. community there was a strong feeling of disgust and anger, not only that the kill occurred, but in the cruel manner in which the dingoes were killed. A .22 rifle was used, and this is easily verified by looking at media photos of the shooting. A .22 calibre rifle is totally inappropriate for this type of killing. These rifles are used for rabbits, and should never have been used on a larger animal. According to many residents, at least 4 animals were wounded, and escaped into the bush. One later bled to death in Central Station Ck. One absolutely harmless dog lived around a resort many, many miles away from the site of the recent fatality. “Socks” would occasionally jump in the pool for a swim, then lie in the sun in front of the pub to dry out.
Socks was shot but not killed, and returned to the resort 2 days later with a bullet hole in her face. QPWS had to come back and kill her. Tourists, staff, and guests loved this harmless animal, which was brutally killed by QPWS rangers on the orders of Premier Peter Beattie. Several locals told me they believe over 40 dingoes have been killed. We were also told that some QPWS rangers are in stress because of the massacre, and are being counselled.
Many “solutions” have been tendered by many so-called experts, including tourists carrying stones to throw at the dingoes, or sticks to threaten them with. Some have suggested heavy fines for feeding dingoes, not understanding that these are not lions or tigers, they are dogs, and there are few people who will not feed a hungry dog. The bottom line is that these animals are starving, and unless they are fed with a properly structured and authorised feeding program, they will continue to be a problem and another person may die.
The Fraser Island dingoes are the last almost purebred dingoes left anywhere in the World. Their already slim genetic strength has been decimated, in an act of sheer revenge, to satisfy the bloodlust of a dictatorial Premier, who seems to have lost his marbles. Like most Australians I was saddened and sickened by the unwarranted massacre of the Fraser Island dingoes.
Currently the Government is undertaking a “risk management strategy” which is being compiled by the same people, and the same agencies, which caused the dingo problem in the first place. We have little confidence in the outcome. The Government has trotted out a few “experts” who know nothing about Fraser Island, but who sit in a city office making media statements to back up the Governments actions.
Any strategies developed are useless unless the fundamental issue is dealt with—the dogs are starving.
6 or 8 feeding stations inland away from the tourist areas, serviced with dry dog food each week or so, would solve the problem immediately. The dogs would initially argue for territory amongst themselves, but they would quickly get to know that food was available at those places if they were hungry, and if they wanted to hunt they would. Purpose-built hoppers, protected from rain, and a foot or so off the ground to prevent scavenging by bandicoots, (if there are any left) would solve the problem. Dry dog food is balanced, nutritious, and doesn’t smell, or pose health risks. The hoppers should be placed near water.
Further advantages are that the native dogs could be monitored at the sites, put to sleep with a dart gun and tagged if required. Contraceptives could be added to the food if necessary. The island doesn’t support enough wildlife now to feed even a handful of dogs. Feeding stations would also reduce the impact of the dingoes on the few remaining native animals and birds. Those dogs which liked human company, and many do, would no longer be a threat to campers when they decided to visit. Obviously the whole process must be transparent.
Enforcement of rules banning campers from feeding dogs which visit camps should continue. However, even the heaviest of fines will not stop many people from feeding starving dingoes. Most people love dogs, many have had beautiful relationships with a dog at some time in their life. There are very few people who will not feed a starving dog. Heavy fines will not stop it, but seeing an obviously well fed dog will reduce the practice. We dispute statements that dingoes are naturally skinny. They are not. Dingoes in areas of heavy road kills, or in good hunting areas, are often in very good condition. In other states where dingoes can be kept as pets under permit, and properly fed, they are magnificent animals.
Those people who argue the dingoes should be able to feed themselves from island wildlife have little idea of the paucity of island fauna. If there were enough natural food there, the dingoes would not be starving now, and they are. The Fraser Island dingo massacre has imposed a great shame on all Australians, and the Beattie government will never ever be able to live down this horrific crime against nature. Pat O’Brien
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