Karina McRoberts
asked
Pamela King:
In your books, you write about dingoes in captivity, and, perhaps that's not the word to use at all, because they certainly seem to enjoy human company. All we hear about Australia's native dog in the wild is that it's a killer (duh). Interested in some positive reports you might know of? Thanks!
Pamela King
Hi Karina. Thank you for your very important questions. I apologise for not replying before now.
There has been considerable research particularly in recent years about dingoes being "dangerous" and certainly the most recent incident at Fraser Island has again cast a shadow over the dingo's reputation.
The most important thing to remember is that dingoes in the wild are just that; they are wild animals. While they can make wonderful pets for the right people who understand them, just like Yogi bear in Jellystone Park, they are opportunistic feeders and will become habituated. The first rule is NOT to feed them.
Quite often incidents with dingoes occur during the breeding season or after pups are born. They will take action to protect their mate and/or pups if they feel they are threatened. They are basically shy and will avoid confrontation if possible.
If anyone takes the time to look into any incident involving dingoes they will invariably discover it was a human, or human action, at fault.
In regard to the sheep industry, it has been demonstrated stray or feral domestic dogs are responsible for killing more killing than dingoes.
It has also been recognised dingoes, as the apex predator, actually protect native animals (particularly small and threatened marsupials) by keeping out imported (and more damaging) predators such as foxes and feral cats.
This is a very brief summary of the situation and some good sources of up to date and comprehensive information are: the book titled The Dingo Debate edited by Bradley Smith; the website http://jennyleeparker3.wixsite.com/au... and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/aussiecanisd.... It would be worth following the Facebook page as the lady who owns it regularly posts information.
There has been considerable research particularly in recent years about dingoes being "dangerous" and certainly the most recent incident at Fraser Island has again cast a shadow over the dingo's reputation.
The most important thing to remember is that dingoes in the wild are just that; they are wild animals. While they can make wonderful pets for the right people who understand them, just like Yogi bear in Jellystone Park, they are opportunistic feeders and will become habituated. The first rule is NOT to feed them.
Quite often incidents with dingoes occur during the breeding season or after pups are born. They will take action to protect their mate and/or pups if they feel they are threatened. They are basically shy and will avoid confrontation if possible.
If anyone takes the time to look into any incident involving dingoes they will invariably discover it was a human, or human action, at fault.
In regard to the sheep industry, it has been demonstrated stray or feral domestic dogs are responsible for killing more killing than dingoes.
It has also been recognised dingoes, as the apex predator, actually protect native animals (particularly small and threatened marsupials) by keeping out imported (and more damaging) predators such as foxes and feral cats.
This is a very brief summary of the situation and some good sources of up to date and comprehensive information are: the book titled The Dingo Debate edited by Bradley Smith; the website http://jennyleeparker3.wixsite.com/au... and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/aussiecanisd.... It would be worth following the Facebook page as the lady who owns it regularly posts information.
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