A wild dog tracking project shows interesting results

North Coast Local Land Services’ Mark Robinson said the research, being undertaken by a collaboration of various government and non-government groups, is in the early stages, but has already revealed some interesting findings.

“A male wild dog, ‘Midnight’, was caught in Ulidarra National Park west of Coffs Harbour at the end of March and he stayed in the area for  three months before travelling over an extensive area,” Mr Robinson said.

“Arriving in late June in the range behind Crossmaglen near Coffs Harbour, the dog then moved to Darkwood in the Bellinger catchment, across the Kalang through the Nambucca catchment, to the Macleay catchment past Bellbrook and up into the Carrai wilderness.

“Last indications are that the dog travelled north through Cathedral Rocks National Park to Guy Fawkes National Park.”

Also part of the project, NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Guy Ballard said “most wild dogs in northeast NSW range over areas between 5000 and 10000ha, but a small proportion of the population undertake very large forays and one-way movements in excess of 100km in a week”.

“Such large movements should remind all of us that management of wild dogs must be planned and implemented over as large an area as possible and in conjunction with neighbours and neighbouring land,” Mr Ballard said.

The research is designed to better inform people about wild dog management in the coastal zone and particularly the peri-urban area, where interactions between wild dogs, domestic pets and people seems to be increasing over the past few years.

“The most effective approach for managing wild dogs brings together all land managers in a coordinated approach - wild dogs don’t respect human boundaries which is why it’s important for all land managers to work together,” Invasive Species team leader, Dean Chamberlain said.

“Effective wild dog management involves understanding how wild dogs function within a landscape and then using the appropriate control methods.

“North Coast Local Land Services biosecurity officers have been working hard to encourage land managers to work together with the aim of increasing participation in wild dog control programs across the region.

“Over the last three years that effort is starting to see results with more land managers getting involved in group programs, rather than just trying to tackle the problem on their own.

“Overall we now have nearly 200 groups active throughout the year and we are seeing more landholders involved in those groups than ever before – nearly 2000 holdings.

“Many of those groups participated in our autumn campaign that covered nearly 420 properties and 265,000 hectares of land.

“This coverage represents an important shift in our ability to control the wild dog population on the North Coast.”

Once the initial round of the tracking project is complete it is hoped that the information will lead to increased knowledge of vertebrate pests in the area and how to better manage them to minimise the impacts not only on livestock, but also on native species.

The project’s funding is from the National Landcare Programme and Catchment Action NSW, and involves North Coast Local Land Services, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Office of Environment and Heritage, Forestry Corporation of NSW, Coffs Harbour City Council, Gumbaynggirr Green Teams and private landholders.

Landholders interested in participating in a wild dog group are encouraged to contact their local North Coast Local Land Services Biosecurity Officer to find out how to be involved.