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Best Practice Wild Dog (Canis lupus) Management

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IntroductionThis module is part of a series of modules in the Pests Cost Us All project.

The project aims to improve and up date landholder knowledge in pest animal management and weed management across South Australia.

This will be achieved through provision of training and awareness sessions and demonstration sites.

The Pests Cost Us All project is part of the Australian Government’s Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, the government’s plan for stronger farmers and a stronger economy.

This presentation gratefully acknowledges the work of Chris HavelburgWild Dog Project Officer, SAAL NRM

Learning outcomes from this module• Understand what is a wild dog and how to manage them• Understand potential impacts of wild dogs• Understand the importance of working as part of a group for

successful wild dog management• Develop objectives and a plan for wild dog management • Understand legal requirements for wild dog management• Select appropriate management techniques, with regard to

animal welfare and property objectives• Employ correct timing of wild dog management techniques• Assess the effectiveness of wild dog management activities

What other issues would you like to address in relation to wild dog management?We will record these and refer to this list throughout the session

Before we start – your issues

1. Define the problem2. Determine objectives3. Develop plan4. Implement plan5. Monitor, evaluate and revise plan

Best Practice Wild Dog Management -key steps

Definition of “wild dog”• The dingo came from southern Asia and

is thought to have been introduced to Australia about 3000-4000 years ago.

• The term ‘wild dog’ refers to dingoes (Canis lupus dingo), domestic dogs that are wild-living or wandering at large (Canis lupus familiaris) and their hybrids

Step 1. Define the Problem

(Step 1). Identification

• Which one is a dingo? A domestic dog? A hybrid?

• Identification of wild dog presence on your property

(Step 1). Biology and Behaviour

All dogs have an excellent hearing range

(Step 1). Biology and Behaviour

Dogs have excellent eye sight over long distances

(Step 1). Biology and Behaviour

(Step 1). Biology and Behaviour• Dogs are creatures of habit• Prefer tracks on soft ground• Do not require water

everyday

(Step 1). Biology and Behaviour

Wild Dog Communication

Howling, Scent and Scat Marking

(Step 1). Biology and Behaviour

(Step 1). Biology and BehaviourFood selection and hunting strategies

(Step 1). Biology and Behaviour

Wild Dog Home range

(Step 1). Wild Dog ImpactsSigns of stock damage

(Step 1). Wild Dog Impacts• Signs of wildlife damage• Change in distribution of emus, roos and/or rabbits?• Physical damage to infrastructure

(Step 1). Wild Dog ImpactsDecision tree for

determining cause of lamb death

(Step 1). Property mappingKnow your property• Mapping key topographical

features - rangelands

Mapping key topographical features- rangelands(Step 1). Property Mapping

Mapping key topographical features- agricultural area(Step 1). Property Mapping

(Step 1). Property Mapping

Know your property – map the problem(Step 1). Property Mapping

What do you plan to achieve?• Are you trying to protect your livestock?• Are you trying to protect native fauna?• Are you planning to undertake broad

scale control for population reduction?• Are you planning to conduct proactive

control to maintain and limit predator impacts in the future?

Step 2. Determine Objectives

• Know your property – understand your problem

• Measurable objectives- what, where, when and who

• Focus on reducing damage from wild dogs, not just numbers

Step 2. Determine Objectives

• Plan early - decide if you will work with local community/land managers

• Determine management levels –property, local, regional

• Integrated plan/co-ordinated approach - long term

• Choose your strategy – feasibility/cost effectiveness, current distribution and persistence, animal welfare

Step 3. Develop a wild dog management plan

Step 3. Develop a wild dog management planInclude:• Where you will do the control• What tools you will use• When will you do the control• How you will monitor for success• Record keeping

• Co-ordinated control - forming/joining wild dog management groups (baiting)

• Useful contacts (regional programs and officers)

• Any other benefits?• Local plans/projects – what is happening

in the region?

(Step 3). Benefits of working with others

• Natural Resources Management Act 2004

Sections of the act that are associated with dingoes - 175(1)(3), 176(1b), 177, 179, 181(1), 182(1).

• Other Acts

(Step 3). Legal considerations

• Work Health and Safety Act 2012

• You have a duty of care to employees and people working on your property

• YOUR welfare is also important

• Risks of working with machinery, chemicals

• COPs and SOPs

(Step 3). Work Health and Safety

(Step 3). Management Options• Baiting• Trapping• Shooting• Other methods e.g. fences/guardian dogs

• Fresh meat baits (1080)• Semi dried baits (1080)• Manufactured baits (1080 or PAPP)

Baiting

Baiting

1080 – Sodium FluoroacetateDirections for Use 1080 (link)

Placement and timing restrictions

Baiting

Injected bait preparation and storage

• PAPP – Para-aminopropiophenone

• Works quicker than 1080• Antidote is available• Blue Heeler antidote video

Baiting

CPE video• Spring loaded device with 1080 capsule• Target specific due to pull force required (1.6-

2.7kg)• Cannot be cached

Canid Pest Injectors

• Placement rules:• Restrictions on distances from water,

dwellings, roads etc

• Neighbour notification

Baiting – Rules and Regulations

• Signs must be maintained for at least 4 weeks after the end of the baiting campaign.

Baiting – Rules and Regulations

• The only way to know working dogs are safe is to keep them muzzled in the baited area.

Baiting – Working Dog Safety

Trapping

Trap types, lures and equipment (video)

Above right-“Jake Trap”Left- rubber jaw trap

Trapping

• Strychnine must be used in leg- hold traps

• Licence is required for use of strychnine

TrappingTrap maintenance and cleaning are essential, to prevent rusting and reduce odours

Trapping

selecting a trap site video

• See SOP for equipment and procedure requirements

• Farmer assist website to connect with Sporting Shooters Association

Shooting

Other methods of controlFencing and Guardian Dogs

(Step 3). Timing of Control

• Use your plan and implement actions

• Communicate with neighbours, and work together

Step 4. Implement Plan

Measure outcomes:• Predation of livestock• Predation of wildlife • Wild dog abundance/ activity• Costs of plan implementation

Evaluate your plan:• Is it working?• Do I need to do more/ something different?• How do I stop future impacts?

Step 5. Monitor, Evaluate and Revise plan

Regularly review the plan and update when

needed

CamerasUseful for:• identifying species at bait stations, • examining feeding ecology, • detecting presence of a species.

(Step 5). Monitoring methods

Sand Plots• Inexpensive monitoring tool• Materials required

• Sand, shovel, rake, broom• count sheet• Map and GPS• diagrams of animal tracks

(Step 5). Monitoring methods

• wild-dog-alert website• New software to detect real time presence of wild dogs

(Step 5). Monitoring methods

• wild dog scan app tutorial (link to video)(Step 5). WildDogScan

Further InformationPest Smart Connecthttp://www.pestsmart.org.au/pest-animal-species/wild-dog/

Biosecurity SA Wild Dogshttp://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds_and_pest_animals/animal_pests_in_south_australia/established_pest_animals/wild_dogs

SAAL NRM wild-dog-managementhttp://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/aridlands/plants-and-animals/pest-plants-and-animals/pest-animals/wild-dog-management

• Understand the problem-biology, ecology, impacts

• Work with others• Set objectives and develop plan• Know your legal responsibilities• Select appropriate techniques• Monitor, evaluate and adapt

Review- key messages

• Are there any issues that were recorded earlier that were not addressed?

• What ideas and plans do you have for managing wild dogs in your area?

• Any other questions

Review

FEEDBACK AND EVALUATIONPlease take some time to give us your feedback so we can improve this module for future delivery.

Thank you for your participation