Fraser Island Dingo Rally 18/5/10

The Rally was awesome, 100 people marching through the streets of Brisbane escorted by two police cars, two on motorbikes and two on push bikes were so helpful, placards waving and voices chanting had quite an effect and people came out of the buildings, some even joined in, others waved and smiled. As we rounded the last corner before entering the grounds of Parliament House the powerful and haunting sounds of the didgeridoo could be heard, it hailed the start of a very successful day. Guest Speakers came from near and far and delivered a great message!

SFID Brisbane rally May 15.
Rally commenced 1030 am with a march around the streets of Brisbane. Led by the president of SFID Mal Kilpatrick holding the banner. Chants were shouted throughout the march which drew great attention from the people on the streets, who came out of their office buildings to watch. Chants included:
Manage Fraser like you oughta
Feed the dingoes, stop the slaughter
Under Bligh, dingoes die
Kevin Rudd, dingoes’ blood
Another species against the wall
Now’s the time to cherish them all
Harmony for K’Gari
Dingoes can’t eat studies Kate
Feed them now or it’s too late
If Australia’s wolf is left to die
Rudd can kiss his job goodbye
Justice for Jen – Now

The marchers culminated in front of parliament house by the haunting sounds of didgeridoo. Sam Catalino didgeridoo player who flew in from Newcastle especially to provide entertainment for the day.

Speakers included the following, some of which flew up especially for the day:
MC Malcom Kilpatrick introduced each speaker.
Traditional Owner Brisbane Elder Alec Davidson Welcome to Country
Butchulla Elder Marie Wilkinson—Traditional Owner Fraser Coast
Dr Eve Fesl OBE - Indigenous Professor, Linguist
Mr Glen Elmes MP – State Shadow Minister for Environment and Sustainability
Mr Ted Sorenson MP –LNP Member for Hervey Bay
Mark Pearson—Executive Director for Animal Liberation Australia - representative World League For the Protection of Animals – FLEW UP FROM VICTORIA ESPECIALLY FOR THE DAY
Dr Allan Wilton - Government Genetics Expert University of NSW – FLEW UP FROM NSW ESPECIALLY FOR THE DAY
Pat O'Brien - President O Australian Wildlife Association
Sue Bloom - Animal Behaviorist (trained animals for the movie babe
Sam Catalano Didgeridoo Player – FLEW UP FROM NEWCASTLE SPECIALLY

Speeches lasted an hour or so, followed by entertainment by Sam, Refreshments provided by Deb Sandy and Jenny Burns
The other side of the story for the protection of dingoes on Fraser Island.I do encourage you to view U-Tube link (Save Fraser Island Dingoes Channel), specifically Save Fraser Island Dingoes, 5 in total which are located in FAVOURITES. http://www.youtube.com/savefraserisdingoes#p/f

Have seen article in Sydney Morning Herald. SMH have printed which was not included in the Courier Mail article(linked below), the statement from UQ spokesman said 52% of the newly tagged dingoes were 6-7 mth old juveniles with an average weight of 10.85kg which we do not dispute and it in fact supports our claims

Common sense says you can't just add this justified data from UQ spokesman to the existing data by DERM which is tagged dingoes from 2001 and yes dingoes can and have lived 10-11 years ( have known of 2 personally) but this is very very few and quite rare, and Fraser Island dingoes are lucky to survive to the age of 2 inder current management and mortality rate is 0-1 from an average litter of 6-8. There are very few MATURE adults and male dingoes who do and can mate in their first year of life are fighting savagely more than normal (which is alarming) for adult females, so the question is do we listen to a species screaming out with desperate measures to reproduce for their survival, existence

We have also received 90 autopsy reports via FOI so that's at least 90 dead since data in 2001.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/protestors-want-more-transparent-data-on-fraser-island-dingo-deaths/story-e6freoof-1225867155553

Extract from SFID Statement

*STARVATION Fraser island dingoes are starving and desperate for food,encouraging more and closer interactions with people. Fraser Island cannot and has never sustained a completely wild population, living solely dependent on the bush for nutrient. DERM/QPWS is trying to force dingoes of the beach which is part of their territories and access to food washed up. If a territory is cleared by cruel management practices, another family group will simply move in.

LONG TERM: Establish a breeding program of the native animals, dingo prey food available that has been impacted upon since the implementation FIDMS (the 'No Feeding Policy' and withdrawal of food sources such as the brumbies, human waste and offal for example) Re-introduce native dingo prey species with constant monitoring on the impact of prey species and their availability

SHORT TERM: Immediate support NOW!. Monitored random 'hidden' food drops away from the public eye and not placed in the view of the dingoes, so not to impact on natural hunting and scavenging skills. In this way we can break the connection that dingoes make with visitors and food.

NO HAND FEEDING from the public..Huge fines need to apply A monitored specific diet reflecting the environmental impact from the dingoes on Fraser Island's native dingo prey species and what it can sustain.

A BALANCE of a wild existence and support is required and is very important to maintain a sustainable genetic population, which history has proven needs our support, the island sanctuary is simply not able to handle the numbers for genetically viable sustainability

SUMMARY: Complete withdrawal of the supplemented food component is not reflective or sustainable to the history of the Fraser Island dingo and has resulted in starvation Food has always been supplemented and is a necessary part of their diet which in 2006 was less than 20% which included plastics etc**

FIDMS has been in force since 2001 and has slowly removed the dingoes access to non-native, human implemented access to food, such as the brumbies, open dumps, human toilet waste and fish offal, resulting in starvation and amassive impact of the dingo prey food available on Fraser Island, and theimbalance of a sensitive eco-system of which the environment could not support such pressure. Not because of claimed inflated high dingo numbers. Fraser Island dingoes have NEVER been truly wild! they were brought ontoisland by the Badtjala and especially since European settlement andindustry. And for genetic sustainability we MUST support them. Fraser Island can not or has ever sustained a viable population surviving totally on their own!

*PERSONAL LIABILITY Personal responsibility and enforce close parental guidance / supervision, criminal charges should apply for negligence

*STOP HAZING (Hazing involves shooting the dingoes with clay pellets, marbles and lead sinkers using a high powered sling shot/shanghai.) This invokes fear and confusion into the dingo for all the wrong reasons, instead of encouraging shyness from humans. The DERM/QPWS strategy is encouraging desperate and opportunistic behaviour in their quest to obtain any sort of food sustenance, electing to face the sling-shot/shanghai

*OPEN AND TRANSPARENT: Our government fails to follow recommendations,dismissing current and past studies carried out by independent scientists and researchers and fail to adhere to their own management strategy For example the DERM/QPWS Fraser Island Dingo Management Strategy states that documented evidence of the animals behaviour (preferably using digital photos) must be used to confirm the allegations before an animal can be destroyed (FIDMS Review 2006 p 37).

REQUESTING also signed statements or video, proof of identification from complainants and witnesses. Clarification and reform of DERM/QPWS Dingo Behaviour Classification A-E.'E' is Dangerous and Aggressive and by definition- unrelenting attack, biting under continued self-defence. Alarming considering recent actions by DERM/QPWS Management now ignore the definition 'E' and have now began to interpret behaviour which has not been exhibited but classified 'E'.... just in case. 'E' classification does result in the animal being destroyed.....! Reform/adherence to the polices of current FIDMS.

FIDMS 2001 employed Dr Laurie Corbett as scientific advisor and revised by DERM/QPWS 2006 waiving some of Corbett's recommendations. Included is a disclaimer removing all responsibility from Dr Corbett for his contribution to FIDMS. Audit was carried out 2009 with Dr Corbett again employed by DERM/QPWS, he has supported the current Fraser Island Dingo Management Strategy FIDMS, again waiving all responsibility

The current agenda by DERM/QPWS affects the future sustainability of dingoes. Their immediate future is bleak and of course insults and disrespects all the dedicated hard work put in by our scientists and conservationists. Have we not learnt from the initial invasion of this beautiful country... do we still persist on destroying the fruits she has to offer, the culture, the people, the flora, the fauna and its breathtaking landscapes and diversity which we all call home.

*CONSEQUENCE OF FRASER ISLAND DINGO MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Research** and observations has shown since the implementation of this strategy came in. -Food removal has impacted on all prey species to the detriment/extinction of some on Fraser Island!. The evidence in the scats collected is clear.

SEASONAL TOURISM and WINTER RECREATIONAL FISHING impacts the diet of dingoes. - Management practices is what is effecting the dingoes behaviour, they are on a heightened sense of alert. - Constant hazing off the beach and causing fragmentation of dingo societies/family groups. (on Fraser Island there is no large prey, sodingoes are predominantly solitary hunters of smaller prey and mostly scavengers of their food.) - Destruction of Alpha, dominant adults and the Beta and Gamma members, results in no guidance to teach the young the ways of a dingo, pups dying as a result of ID tagging, juveniles killed for dominance play, fracturingfamily networks and a cruel death to orphaned puppies. Aggressive culling has caused the demise of strong cohesive dingo societies which was also exacerbated by the electrification of the fences at Eurong and Happy valley which are not effective! (Note: No fence at Orchid beach where alleged dingo attacks have occurred?) - Controlled burns are conducted when pups are still whelping, leaving them trapped in their dens - Genetic breakdown and in-breeding (Badtjala introduced mainland dingoes to the Fraser Island for genetic diversity - CRISIS in-breeding with siblings and in their first year of life.

* ATTACK By definition is relentless and make no mistake there is a huge difference between dominance play amongst juveniles, up to18mths with nips and clothing ripped to a full fledged ATTACK !!! This MUST be clarified. STOP the fear propaganda and media sensationalism DERM/QPWS runs a fear mythology...effecting attitudes and responses from visitors, interactions are positive when they don't believe they are going to be "attacked"

*COMPANIONSHIP The dingo societies close to townships have shown no concern or threat, living harmoniously with their human co-inhabitants, dingoes were companions to the Indigenous people 'Badtjala' and the Forestry Department who also had a worming program for them and the industries that have existed on Fraser Island and of course theresidents/communities Note: **No scat contained the human food component as the primary food source

*TOURISM and DERM/QPWS TRAINING Control self drives and cap the numbers especially during mating and puppy seasons.Responsible 'Tourism Operators' should although not required have all guides qualified in Eco Tourism specific to Fraser Island with a huge module on dingoes (Accredited training packages have been developed and are available)DERM/QPWS staff must be extensively trained and supported by a team of experts not employed by DERM/QPWS. Qualified and experienced (RPL) in respective sciences regarding autopsies/research with independents as part of the team again not employed by DERM/QPWS REFERENCE ( **DINGO DIET AND PREY AVAILABILITY ON FRASER ISLAND 2006. Dafna Camila Angel-E. Biologist-Hons. Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Freely available at the USC Website) which of course is out of date and none of the recommendations were actioned so situation is now much worse.
Joanne McKay
SFID Inc
SAVE FRASER ISLAND DINGOES - FACEBOOK
Publicity Officer