Western Australia’s remote south coast once offered refuge to families who lived outside the law. There, in the 1940s, dingoes moved through the mallee heath and coastal scrub as part of daily life. Today those same animals are disappearing from large parts of the country, prompting fresh debate over long-standing control measures.
Early Encounters in the Bush
Carol Pettersen grew up hearing dingoes call at night and catching glimpses of their red fur during the day. Her family had settled deep in the Fitzgerald River region after her white father and Aboriginal mother sought safety from legal restrictions on their relationship. The animals formed part of that hidden world, neither feared nor hunted by the household.
Those childhood memories now stand in contrast to broader trends. Across much of Australia, dingo populations have declined sharply in settled and agricultural areas. Government programs aimed at reducing livestock losses have operated for decades, yet the animals continue to retreat from former ranges.
Policy Pressures on Farmers and Wildlife
Current approaches focus heavily on eradication in regions where sheep and cattle graze. Bounties, trapping and baiting remain common tools, supported by state agencies and rural industries. The practical result is fewer dingoes near farms, but also reduced numbers in surrounding bushland where the species once played a natural role.
Stakeholders on both sides face ongoing costs. Farmers report persistent attacks on livestock despite control efforts, while conservation groups document shrinking habitat and genetic isolation. The tension has produced repeated calls for methods that limit damage without driving the species toward local extinction.
A Documentary Shifts the Conversation
A new film highlights personal accounts like Pettersen’s and argues that governments should test alternatives. Rather than blanket removal, the production advocates targeted strategies that protect livestock while allowing dingoes to persist in suitable areas. It points to examples where coexistence measures have reduced conflict without full-scale culling.
The timing coincides with wider reviews of pest management across several states. Officials are examining whether revised fencing, guardian animals and selective control zones could deliver better long-term outcomes for both agriculture and biodiversity. Early trials in limited districts have shown mixed but promising results.
Practical Steps Under Consideration
Key proposals include:
- Expanded use of non-lethal barriers and livestock protection dogs in high-risk zones.
- Mapping of core dingo habitat to guide where control is essential and where it can be relaxed.
- Support programs that compensate producers for verified losses while funding habitat corridors.
- Joint monitoring by farmers, Indigenous rangers and scientists to track population trends.
These options aim to balance immediate economic needs with the species’ long-term survival. Implementation would require coordination between state governments, rural organisations and traditional owners who have long viewed dingoes as part of cultural landscapes.
What matters now
Policy reviews underway in Western Australia and other states will determine whether new tools replace or supplement existing control programs. The outcome will shape both farm viability and the future distribution of one of Australia’s oldest predators.
Success will depend on sustained cooperation rather than any single method. If governments adopt a more selective approach, dingoes could remain part of the country’s ecosystems while farmers gain practical relief from losses. The coming years will show whether that balance is achievable.
