Wild dogs often maintain large territories Exclusion fencing and guard animals may also be used on the Australian mainland but are not considered to be required in Tasmania due to the limited nature of the problem here. In Tasmania, the management options for wild dogs are trapping using cage traps and shooting. All sightings of wild dogs should be reported to the appropriate managing authority for the area in which the sightings occurred.ĭestruction of wild dogs is often difficult and resource intensive, requiring a long-term management approach using a range of tools and techniques. The destruction of identified wild dog populations should be given the highest priority by all land managers. Their presence may often go unnoticed by land owners. Pups are born about two months after breeding, with the average litter size being five but with one to eleven pups being possible.ĬontrolWild dogs are generally secretive, highly mobile and may have a large territorial range. Wild dogs are capable of producing pups more than once each year, although environmental and energetic constraints probably prevent this in wild living dogs. However, this may vary depending on climate and resource availability. ReproductionWild dogs are typically annual breeders on mainland Australia, with mating occurring in April-May. Wild dogs have been implicated in the decline of several native species on mainland Australia. Common prey includes small to medium-sized mammals such as native mice, potoroos, bandicoots and wallabies. Wild dogs prey on a variety of native animals of all sizes, including mammals, birds and reptiles. They can pose a significant threat to livestock because they readily prey on poultry, sheep, goats and cattle. Wild dogs will generally form small to large packs, with severity of impacts increasing with the size of the pack. Wild dog attacks on livestock and pets, lethal or otherwise, also cause emotional distress to landholders.Įstimates of the impacts on the Australian economy from production losses due to predation on livestock, disease transmission in livestock and control costs range from $40 million to $60 million annually. View recorded distribution information inĮnvironmental ImpactsAcross mainland Australia, wild dogs attack livestock, prey on native fauna, may spread endemic diseases to humans and livestock, potentially host exotic diseases, hybridise with dingoes, and threaten human health, safety and well-being. View recorded distribution information in the They occur in highest numbers around peri-urban areas and in areas with abundant prey populations, such as rabbits. They have flexible foraging strategies and a consequently varied diet, allowing them to live in most environments. Wild dogs occur in all habitat types on mainland Australia, including alpine, desert, temperate forests, rainforests, grasslands, and agricultural and urban environments. Dogs at large are considered to be a larger problem in Tasmania, especially in urban and peri-urban areas. However, the problem is not regarded as being widespread. Tasmania has been fortunate to not have significant problems with wild dogs.ĭistributionIn Tasmania, small packs of wild dogs are occasionally identified in remote rural locations or isolated areas of crown and reserved land, such as World Heritage Area land in the Central Highlands. In Tasmania, wild dogs are generally domestic dogs that have been abandoned or lost (commonly while hunting). The dingo was brought to mainland Australia by the aboriginal people approximately 4000 years ago but never reached Tasmania.ĭomestic dogs were first brought into Australia and Tasmania by European settlers and their release (both accidental and deliberate) into the wild has continued since. HistoryBoth dingoes ( Canis lupus dingo) and domestic dogs ( Canis lupus familiari s ) may be categorised as wild dogs on mainland Australia. Wild dogs vary in size, coat colour and form Identifying featuresIn Tasmania there is no characteristic wild dog description as they vary in size, form and coat colour depending on the type of domestic dog that has escaped into the wild. Wild dog management strategies exist for most Australian states and territories. Risk Assessment: Wild dogs have not been risk assessed by NRE Tas. They are sometimes also referred to as 'feral dogs' or 'feral domestic dogs'.ĭogs at large are defined as any dog not under the effective control of a person in a public place or on premises without the consent of the occupier. Wild dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris) are defined as any dog not relying on human assistance for shelter or food. National Parks and Reserved Land Regulations 2009. Status: In Tasmania, the control and management of dogs (domestic and wild) is governed by theĭog Control Act 2000, Dog Control Regulations 202 1, National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002, and
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