Latest news with #dingoes
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Yahoo
Aussie rangers caught unlawfully using 'cruel' devices on native animals
Australian authorities have admitted to unlawfully using a controversial device to capture dingoes so they could be killed, despite the possession and practice being 'in breach' of their own animal welfare rules. The ACT Government confirmed the mistake with Yahoo News, revealing it permitted soft-jaw traps to be used for years, even after it passed an amendment in 2019 that prohibited them. When stepped on, the trap's jaws snap tightly around the animal's foot, keeping it in a fixed position until a routine check is made, sometimes causing it pain for hours. Unlike steel-jawed traps, they have padding to lessen damage to the animal's limb, and they are commonly used for dingo control in other states. The practice of trapping dingoes on public land was never hidden. But it's understood that until recently, the territory authorities didn't realise the method was now banned. Most animal welfare groups oppose the traps, with Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International) claims they are 'inherently cruel, cause intense stress, injury, and prolonged suffering'. While Deakin University ecologist Professor Euan Ritchie said governments have 'far better ways' to manage dingoes humanely. Alix Livingstone from wildlife protection organisation Defend the Wild described them as "outdated". Why are dingoes trapped? Dingoes are regarded as a separate species from domestic dogs, and they have notable behavioural differences, including howling like wolves. DNA testing across Australia suggests there is very little hybridisation between dogs and dingoes. Despite being culturally important to Indigenous people and playing an important ecological role as an apex predator, state and territory governments around Australia routinely trap, shoot and poison dingoes on public land that borders farmland, due to concerns they kill sheep. Two notable places they are protected are K'gari in Queensland and a small, critically endangered population in Victoria's northwest. How was the illegal trapping discovered? In July, a confidential source alerted Yahoo about conflicting descriptions of soft-jaw traps in ACT government documents. Their possession and use were explicitly prohibited as prescribed items alongside shock collars and cockfighting spurs under the Animal Weflare Act and the associated Animal Welfare Regulation. Yet another government document, the ACT Pest Animal Management Strategy, described them as an 'effective technique' to control wild dogs, which is a common term used to describe dingoes. On July 23 this year, Yahoo posed six questions to Parks and Conservation Services (PCS), which manages dingo control, about its use of soft-jaw traps. It did not respond directly and instead emailed a short statement from the government. 'The ACT Government is currently reviewing the legislation and the appropriateness of the regulatory settings regarding the management of overabundant wildlife in the ACT,' it said. For over a week, further requests for comment did not receive a response. Government amends laws and resumes dingo trapping Concerns about the use of soft-jaw traps were raised at an uncomfortable time for the ACT government. It is in the process of updating the Nature Conservation Act to change the status of dingoes from a pest species to a controlled native animal, giving it a similar status to eastern grey kangaroos. And this has upset some farmers who fear it could make it harder to control dingoes, and the matter was raised during budget estimates on Friday. After PCS was told it was illegally using traps, it suspended their use for weeks. But it quietly began working on amending legislation. On July 31, a new regulatory change was published by the government, creating an exemption for the use of soft-jaw traps by permit holders and conservation officers. Then on August 1, as the law came into effect, it resumed dialogue with Yahoo, responding to new questions by issuing a lengthy statement. 'The use of soft-jaw traps by [PCS], primarily for controlling pest animals or overabundant native wildlife under the Biosecurity Act 2023, was recently found to be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 1992 and its associated Regulation,' it said in part. 'Although PCS had used these traps for many years as part of their pest management activities, an amendment in 2019 added soft-jaw traps to the list of prohibited items under the Animal Welfare Regulation 2001, rendering their continued use unlawful.' It then explained its decision to resume their use, claiming they are "essential for effective dingo control". "To resolve the issue, the ACT Government has amended the Animal Welfare Regulation to include exemptions to the possession and use of soft-jaw traps," it said. Government urged to consider 'humane' control methods The government said soft-jaw traps are used in accordance with national animal welfare standards, including the National Code of Practice for the humane control of dingoes and that daily inspections and prompt euthanasia ensure "humane treatment". But the decision to amend legislation rather than adhere to established animal welfare protections has frustrated a number of leading experts and ecologists. Humane World for Animals Dr Renae Charalambous described the change as 'deeply troubling'. 'Rather than bringing their wildlife management practices into line with the law and community expectations, the government has amended the legislation to suit its own operational needs,' she said. "The use of these traps to manage native species like dingoes is particularly disturbing. Dingoes are a native apex predator, not a 'pest', and lethal control methods like trapping and killing fail to provide long-term solutions to conflicts with livestock." In many cases, traps can kill or harm non-target native wildlife, including birds, wombats, and goannas. Due to the risks they pose to animal welfare, Professor Euan Ritchie warned trapping can also harm and, in some cases, said 'strong considerations' needed to be made about where and when they were used. 'Leg-hold traps can cause a range of impacts on dingoes, ranging from relatively minor and short-lived pain and discomfort, through to more severe pain and distress, swelling, dehydration, bruising, lacerations, dislocations, and fractures,' he told Yahoo. Continuing, he said there are 'better ways' to manage dingoes that are more humane than trapping, shooting and poisoning, and that more investment was needed in alternative methods. 'Strategic fencing, but not large barrier fencing, has a role. So too does the appropriate use of guardian dogs and donkeys, which have been demonstrated to be effective in Australia, and around the world,' he said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
Photo reveals dangerous camping mistake on popular Aussie holiday island
Photographs taken on the sandy beaches of one of Australia's most popular holiday spots reveal a dangerous camping problem that's putting tourists at risk. Taken during 2024 and 2025, by Queensland rangers, they show several tents ransacked by dingoes searching for food. In one image, boxes of Jatz crackers, Arnott's Shapes and Assorted Creams, and an open tub of margarine can be seen strewn across the ground. Another taken inside a tent shows food spread across the floor and instant noodles and other snacks in easy reach of dingoes. The problem isn't being caused by the animals themselves, which are native to K'gari and natural scavengers. They're being accidentally lured into tents because campers are failing to properly secure their food. The Department of Environment and Tourism's Dr Linda Behrendorff explained dingoes are 'opportunistic by nature' and will tear open tents, break eskies open and knock over bins in search of an easy meal. 'Wildlife scavenging around camping areas is a common occurrence, and the problem with leaving food or rubbish where dingoes or other wildlife can get it makes them less fearful of humans,' she said. 'Dingoes don't differentiate between food and rubbish, and they can start approaching people for food which puts dingoes and people at risk.' 🏡 Neighbourhood's fight to save 100-year-old 'landmark' 🥺 Rare colour footage of extinct Australian animal seen again after 90 years ❄️ Australia's sky could change forever after winter ends Once dingoes lose their fear of humans, they can become a danger. And sadly if they attack and are considered a danger, this can result in the animals being euthanised. Behrendorff has dispelled the myth that food was inaccessible in fenced camping areas, and said it needed to be kept in strong boxes inside a vehicle cabin or on the back of a ute. 'A tent or annexe is not a secure place, and dingoes have also taken people's belongings such as clothing, toiletries or shoes that carry the smell of food,' she added. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
ABC News
01-07-2025
- ABC News
Rangers say dingoes on K'gari are 'gorging' themselves on food and rubbish
Tents are being ransacked and belongings destroyed on K'gari (Fraser Island), prompting rangers to warn school holiday visitors to be aware of the island's apex predator. Dingoes have been feasting on food and rubbish from unsecured campsites on the heritage-listed island, according to Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers. "Rangers came across a number of sites recently where the dingoes have gotten into the camping gear and absolutely gorged themselves on food," Linda Behrendorff said. "Dingoes are opportunistic, and they will take a chance to come into a camp if they can smell [food]." Dr Behrendorff said the recent incidents were a concerning sign that dingoes were losing their natural fear of humans. "Normally they will grab something off a table or grab something out of an esky … but to rip it all to bits — that sparks rangers' interests," she said. Dr Behrendorff said food and rubbish had to be stored properly to ensure safety on K'gari. "We are always telling visitors to make your camp as unattractive to dingoes as you possibly can," she said. "That includes securing items or equipment with locks, not bands that [dingoes] can chew off. "Use good, sturdy eskies that you can shove right under vehicles or picnic tables so the dingoes can't drag them away. "They're very good at getting into flimsy, canvas things … they're no good over here, your food will be taken away very quickly." Dr Behredorff also urged fishers to properly dispose of their scraps. "Fishers should bury fish frames and unused bait at least 50cm deep in the sand to prevent dingoes digging it up," she said. The environment department said feeding dingoes, even inadvertently, was illegal. "On-the-spot fines include $2,580 for deliberately feeding a dingo and $464 for food availability," a spokesperson said. "The maximum court-imposed penalty for feeding dingoes is $26,614."
ABC News
11-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Cunnamulla's outback postie Ruby Gamble a larrikin and a lifeline
A few things are certain in the outback around Cunnamulla. Dingoes do not want pats, the next drought is never far away, and Ruby Gamble will make her deliveries. Now in her early 70s, Ruby the outback postie has spent nearly three decades delivering mail, medicine, beer and just about anything else her remote customers need. Cunnamulla, 750 kilometres west of Brisbane, is home to about 1,200 people spread out over a region bigger than the size of Tasmania. Ruby's vehicle of choice — a two-wheel-drive Toyota Hilux — covers up to 10,000km a month across vast, sunbaked, bulldust-covered roads. "They forget when they're in the bush." The Australia Post contractor's customers live and work on isolated sheep and cattle stations the size of European countries. Some do not see another soul all week. That makes Ruby more than just a delivery driver — she is a lifeline. The postie even maintained connections with her customers when devastating floods across Western Queensland earlier this year made it too dangerous to go bush, forcing her into one of the longest breaks of her 28-year career. "I kept ringing them to make sure they're all okay, and if they need food or anything," she said. Now that the waters have receded, Ruby is back on the road. Ruby's three-year-old ute is already pushing half a million kilometres. It has been modified with an extra-long tray to carry hay bales — and the occasional case of beer. "Just about ready to trade it in," Ruby said. She and her late husband Col took up the delivery contract in 1997 and shared the run for more than a decade, until her partner of 43 years passed away. "The bastard handed in his rifle on the Paroo River," she said. "We caught a heap of fish, he drank a six-pack … then he comes into the caravan, towel around him, throws it open and says, 'Anyhow Ruby, I'm the only one who knows how to find all the good fish holes.' "I told him, 'Shut up, you skiting bastard' — they were the last words I ever spoke to him." Within 10 minutes, Col had died from a massive heart attack. Ruby took a break from work to grieve after Col's death while friends filled in on the mail run. But before long, her customers came calling. "After a couple of months [they said], 'Ruby, we need you out here,'" she said. "They made me get out of bed and keep going." Joanne Woodcroft, the licensee and self-titled postmistress of the Cunnamulla Post Office, said Ruby was part of the town's identity. "Ruby and her husband Col, stalwarts of the post office … the fabric of our community," she said. Fourteen years since Col's death, Ruby has not remarried, despite encouragement from her kids. "One of 'em says, 'Mum, you know, we were never meant to be on our own and if you find somebody else that's OK with us,'" she said. "I said, 'You bastards have only been here four days and I can't put up with you … how am I gonna put up with someone else?'" Seven hours a day in the car gives Ruby a chance to reflect on the adventures she's had on her mail run. "A few years ago, I got bogged — no phones out there, I can't get anybody on the UHF," she said. Thinking quickly, she hit SOS on her GPS and, 30 minutes later, spotted a jet circling above. "I'm looking for a tree to hide under, thinking, 'What have I done?'" Ruby said. Rescued and brought to safety, Ruby inadvertently went about the rest of her day without telling the authorities she was OK. "The police caught up with me later that day at the pub," she said. "They had called my son to ask if I was on any medication, he told 'em, 'Yep — VB and Panadol.'" After nearly three decades, Ruby is showing no signs of slowing down. But of an afternoon, odds on you'll find her enjoying a VB at the old Billabong Hotel in town, ready to share a tale from the road. "It's been a good life, I wouldn't swap it for anything."
