Wild dogs being managed proactively
A joint wild dog quarterly baiting program has been running for more than 10 years in Ngarkat Conservation Park and surrounding areas, with 57 reports of sheep or lamb deaths due to wild dog attacks reported during this time.
Posted 09 March 2021.
Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board District Officer Craig Krollig said the wild dog baiting program is a collaborative effort between the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board and National Parks and Wildlife Service SA (NPWSSA) to provide an organised response for landholders.
“The wild dog baiting program has been running since the early 1990s and usually occurs around February, May, August, and November with more than 400 baits laid each time.
“In February, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board and NPWSSA completed another round of baiting to support local farmers before this year’s lambing season.
“There have been 57 stock losses over this time due to wild dogs. This low number is very positive.
Mr Krollig is encouraging landholders to report any stock losses suspected to be the result of wild dog attacks or any sightings to the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.
Other signs of a wild dog on your property may include unusual livestock behaviour and lower lambing rates than expected.
Mr Krollig said local district staff can investigate and react quickly to wild dog threats, with coordinated action across properties being the most effective method to reduce the impact on the livestock industry.
“We can provide advice and dog baits to impacted landholders and coordinate neighbours to bait together for greater impact.
“We can also work with Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) to activate a dog trapper if needed and considered to be the best cause of action.”
“In November, we engaged one of the state government wild dog trappers following reports of sheep losses and dog sightings. The trapper was successful in catching one dog over a four week trapping period,” Mr Krollig said.
To report any sightings or stock losses, contact Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board District Officer Lameroo, Craig Krollig on phone: 08 8576 3400.
The NPWSSA carry out control and undertake a monitoring program for wild dog activity in Ngarkat Conservation Park, which involves monitoring sand pads and recording dog activity at different locations through the park.
National Parks and Wildlife Service SA District Ranger Paul Gillen said this helps us understand areas where they are more active and any trends in activity for dogs in the area to help direct effective control activities.
“I would encourage any landholders in the general area to undertake a proactive baiting program. A good time to do this is around the same time as the park based baiting program to get the best coverage across the landscape,” Ranger Gillen said.
The wild dog program in the region is a jointly funded partnership coordinated through the Boxflat Wild Dog Coordinating Committee, which has representation from Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, Limestone Coast Landscape Board, Southern Mallee District Council, District Council of Tatiara, Coorong District Council, SA Sheep Industry Fund Board along with NPWSSA and Department of PIRSA.
This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies.
