Jun

22

2007
 
 

Australia’s top dog



Dingoes control lesser predators and herbivores, protect native wildlife

poor little chapDingoes Canis lupus dingo are a conservationist’s best friend in Australia, mounting evidence shows. In the current pages of Austral Ecology, a contemplative group of scientists, fronted by Al Glen at the Dwellingup Research Centre, Australia, argue for the effectiveness of the introduced canine in protecting the native fauna and even flora against the ravages of other introduced mammals. Smaller predators such as red fox Vulpes vulpes and feral cat Felis catus, together with pesky herbivores such as rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus, fall under the dingo’s influence. Yet despite numerous anecdotal benefits to Australia’s natural wellbeing, dingoes are still persecuted in parts of the country and have been almost completely wiped out in some areas. Glen and colleagues now call for systematic research into what the dingo can and can’t do for Oz’s embattled endemics. About time too. Source: Glen AC, Dickman CR, Soulé ME & MacKey BG (2007) Evaluating the role of the dingo as a trophic regulator in Australian ecosystems. Austral Ecology DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2007.01721.x

Related story in Conservation magazine: The Conundrum of Biological Control: Weighing Urgency Against Uncertainty

Image © Arnstein Berg

Filed Under Endangered species, Invasive species, Restoration, Monitoring, Economics and conservation, Community-based conservation, Socio-political issues | 

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Comments

One Response to “Australia’s top dog”

  1. Dimitrije Nikic on June 22nd, 2007 11:12 pm

    Keep up the good work. Dingoes are the only native Australian animals to be classified as vermin, and unjustly so. Most research has only focused on more efficient ways to exterminate them.

    If Australia is to be seen as a conservation-concerned nation, it must do all it can to protect this unique keystone predator.

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