• Research the options associated with the implementation of a Queensland statewide strategic wild dog management system (based on the Western Australian model?)

• Nil tenure approach to regional (and state?) management planning. Take all boundaries off the map (private and public) this gives the opportunity to identify passage and high wild-dog activity areas.

• New dry sausage baits produced in Western Australia mean there is an opportunity for Leading Sheep to set up a trial of these baits

• GPS tracking – all field information recorded on way points etc.

• Trial area with M44 injectors (identify with innovation)

• Have a coordinated and integrated approach to managing predators (successful response to management programs/different species interaction with baits, pigs/wild dogs/foxes/cats).

• Some shires are accessing funding through Blueprint for the Bush

• Producers can access a ‘damage mitigation permit’ for short-term control of eagle hawks when lambing … if bird population and impact is high (EPA)

Outcomes

• Preparing a proposal to research the establishment and implementation of a statewide strategic management structure (three tiers) to support improved wild dog management (see below). This would be driven from the bottom up (by local area management groups) and involve input from producers, industry and government service providers.

• Opportunity for Leading Sheep to be involved in trialling new dried baits developed in Western Australia

• Researching a way to access or utilise Western Australia’s dogger training course to train and accredit more Queenslanders to be involved in on-ground control work

• Winton day provided great networking, respectful environment and information sharing

Possible management model

Other ideas, suggestions and thoughts

Management

• Definition of wild dog: A dog that is not under the control of humans (which would encompass dingoes, even though they are under the protection of the Nature Conservation Act).

• Participation is the key to success with wild dog and pig control

• High numbers of producers with large numbers of wild pigs but higher impact on livestock coming from wild dogs

• Producers indicate they would like the opportunity to brush up on their trapping skills

• High numbers of feral pigs can have negative effect on the success of a baiting program (eating a high percentage of baits for nil effect on the pig)

• Distribution area can affect success of baiting program

• Important to have all management options active to achieve effective control

• Seasonal conditions can have impact on the effectiveness of baiting programs

• Move away from single property baiting as it can cause a sink for new (often younger, more active) wild dogs to move into

• Maremma dogs are a viable tool to support wild dog control

• Maremma dogs best-practice is critical in training and management

• Maremma dogs help control kangaroo numbers

• Maremma dogs’ authenticity of breed is very important when buying animals

• High numbers of wild dogs moving along watercourse country (and pigs?)

• Fence cells instead of lines

• Doggon baits broken down in two days in certain conditions

• Wild dogs and pigs assist in the spread of disease which can contribute to reduced calving rates in cattle

• Hydatid is prevalent in wild dogs and can be passed to grazing animals and humans

• When people moved out of sheep into cattle, dog numbers didn’t decline they just moved to eating cattle

• PPAP is the new chemical being tested for use in baiting programs (consult with Invasive animal CRC on PPAP)

• Important to have good working relationships with LPO, EPA and animal welfare agency etc.

Research

• Acknowledgement of the value of Lee Allen’s work

• Research is important to better understanding of wild dog behaviour so that control programs can be more strategically planned and implemented

• Research needs to be targeted and of high benefit

• Acknowledgement of the Blackall research and its contribution to better control

How to encourage more producers (cattle or sheep) to get involved?

• Hip pocket is a large factor (need to prove up the impact of wild dogs)

• Get more cattle producers involved in decision-making process

• Offer diverse range of management options

• Utilisation of a chemical that has an antidote

• High wild dog numbers means higher risk of neospora being present in a cattle herd (the only way to reduce neospora is to reduce wild dog numbers)

• Hydatid is prevalent in wild dogs – can be passed to grazing animals and humans

• Consider no shire rate discount if ratepayer cannot demonstrate they are contributing to or involved in implementation of a wild dog control program?

Funding access

• Committee approach is best if wanting to be involved in research or access to funding

• Identify with innovation

• Make sure all stakeholders are involved in planning

• Some shires are accessing funding through blueprint for the bush

Questions to promote thinking

• Is the money on wild dog control being spent wisely?

• What is considered to be acceptable control effort?

• How do you know the wild-dog tolerance of different producers?

• What input do producers have into wild dog management statewide?

• When is PPAP going to become available?

• Who funds the dogger course for producers in WA?

• Can we better use the funding already being spent?

• Does bait preparation have an impact on the effectiveness/success of the program?

• How much is wild dog control costing the state of Queensland?

• How much is it costing local government in Queensland?

• Can you have a statewide MOU? (there is already one in place?)

• Is 1080 failing/breaking down?

• What other chemicals/options will be available to be used for control? (1080 will not be available for wild dog control for too much longer.)

• How to get more cattle producers involved in wild dog control?

• Assessment of Queensland barrier fence – is it a good investment?

Comment – Greg Mifsud – national facilitator wild dog control

• There is a need for national coordination and facilitation

• Oversee and communicate wins and losses with regard to wild dog control/management

• Look for ways to improve

• Support/organise/consult

Comment – Barry Davies – Biosecurity Western Australia

• Western Australia has strategic statewide management plan in place

• WA Government is spending $2.4m on wild dog control

• WA has 5 zones three-tier management model involving all stakeholders

• Nil tenure approach to identify action and impact areas for regional and statewide management and planning

• WA has 30-35 km buffer zone strategically identified and established along the edge of sheep production country.

• WA Dogger Training Scheme – TAFE accreditation

• New dry sausage baits produced in WA

• Dogger income in WA is $100 000 (includes vehicle and equipment perhaps other benefits?)

Actions

1. Research the feasibility of a statewide Wild Dog Management Strategy

Greg Misfud will see if the appropriate structures are in place and get back to us re the next step to take to get this underway. This is to be supported by the Leading Sheep wild dog producer network – contacts are Bob Little and Jenny Keogh

2. Wild dog and predator survey

Add this question to the survey: “If you didn’t have a wild dog problem, would you consider going back into running sheep?

Circulate survey on a statewide basis. Approach and utilise AgForce, shire councils, catchment groups and other producer organisations to distribute. Get as much statewide information as possible. (The survey may need a little adjusting to go statewide so that it is relevant to all areas)

3. Western Australia sausage bait trial to be run by Leading Sheep

Bob Little, Jenny Keogh, Leading Sheep network and LPO officers to look at and research ways this may be undertaken. Have a telemeeting to discuss (Who will initiate it? When? How? How to fund a trial? Who will design and carry it out? How to record the results? )