Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
Key
site specific
region wide
Tracks to trapping the wild dogs
The future for wild dogs in the South West NRM region in Queensland isn't looking too bright following a concentrated series of trapping workshops for landholders.
"Wild dogs have been on the increase in our region in recent times," said Gary Butler Programs Manager of South West NRM.
"It's estimated these animals cost the Queensland grazing industry more then $18.3 million a year by killing sheep, lambs and calves. They also have a major impact on native wildlife and threaten regional biodiversity.
"Ad hoc approaches to managing the problem had obviously been ineffective. So we decided that we needed a coordinated approach. One of the best ways to achieve this was to improve land managers' knowledge and skills."
This resulted in 'Tracks to Trapping' - a series of free workshops for landholders, jointly sponsored by South West NRM and the Queensland Department of Natural Resources Mines and Water.
Funding
The Australian Government contributed $6,000 to the project through South West NRM. The Queensland Department of Natural Resources Mines and Water played a major role.
Activities
In the first half of 2006, eleven workshops where held across Booringa, Balonne, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpy and Tambo Shires attracting more than 150 participants.
A local trapper Don Sallway with a decade of experience in the region, conducted the training in trapping. His approach combines baiting with a targeted trapping program.
To bolster their newly gained knowledge, workshop participants took a resource manual away with them containing information on wild dog behaviour and methods of trapping. The manual does not condone the use of older style serrated steel-jawed traps, but recommends the use of rubber-jawed traps, together with strychnine.
The manual also raises the need for further research to help develop management techniques that control wild dogs, while protecting pure dingoes.
Achievements
"The workshops were a huge success," Gary said. "They provided a program that landholders needed and had requested.
"The positive feedback has been tremendous and we have been approached by other regions who are interested in doing something similar.
"It's too early yet to see how the training has translated to results on the ground, but the training means that landholders across a wider region will have similar skills and this should help them work together in controlling wild dogs. We also expect to see greater coordination between the efforts of shires and landholders."
More information
- Gary Butler, Programmes Manager South West NRM: (07) 4654 7382
See also
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window