Vigilance key to Hume LHPA wild dog success

A wild dog management plan in East Gilmore has had great success in dramatically reducing the impact of wild dogs on agricultural production in the region over the past three years.

For the first time in almost 20 years, there were no reported livestock losses due to wild dog attacks in the Gilmore valley for an entire year during 2009.

Hume Livestock Health and Pest Authority ranger, Michael Leane says the commitment of everyone involved in the program has seen outstanding results.

"During 2005, 125 head of sheep and goats were lost to wild dogs, representing 20% of sheep and goats in the area – this was completely unacceptable to landholders," Mr Leane said.

"The Hume LHPA worked closely with local landholders and other stakeholders, including Forests NSW, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Lands, to create the East Gilmore Cooperative Wild Dog Management Plan."

Mr Leane says the aim of the plan was to minimise the impact of wild dogs by providing a dog-free buffer zone around pastoral properties. In order to create the buffer zone, a variety of control techniques were used.

"Strategic baiting and trapping programs were undertaken to ‘clean out’ the resident wild dogs in the area, which saw a large drop off in dog numbers and subsequently a dramatic reduction in stock loss," Mr Leane said.

"In 2008, only five sheep were killed, representing less than 1% of sheep in the area, and in 2009 we recorded no stock losses from wild dog attacks – a great result."

Mr Leane says a recent incident in the area highlights the importance of landholders remaining vigilant and reporting any wild dog activity to their local LHPA.

"The success of early reporting of dog activity is no more evident than in February this year, when a Gilmore landholder reported dog tracks on his boundary to the Hume LHPA," Mr Leane said.

"The LHPA engaged the contract dog trapper to investigate – two days later a male dog was trapped about a kilometre from the sheep, and within a week the female companion was also trapped."

The LHPA continues to monitor and liaise with stakeholders to ensure the continued success of the program to ensure that landholders’ livelihood is protected.

Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378