Big Desert dingoes could become Australia’s first nationally protected population

Fewer than 100 adult dingoes may remain in a controversial population spread across nature reserves on the Victoria-South Australia border. Scientists are now considering whether the animals should become Australia’s first dingo population to receive national protection as critically endangered.

The Threatened Species Scientific Committee will spend three years assessing the Wilkerr population and advising the federal government. Wildlife ecologist Euan Ritchie of Deakin University said camera-trap records and genetic evidence showed extensive inbreeding, including suspected cases of full siblings breeding with each other.

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There are about 100 or fewer adult individuals in the population.

"There are about 100 or fewer adult individuals in the population," Ritchie said. "This population has examples of full siblings we think are breeding with each other. We think [Wilkerr] is well on its way to extinction."

The conservation case was submitted two years ago by Big Desert Dingo Research and the Australian Dingo Foundation. Their application pointed to genetic studies identifying eight distinct dingo sub-populations across Australia. A newer comparison of modern and ancient DNA found that the animals remained mostly genetically dingo despite historical interbreeding with introduced dogs. The sampled Wilkerr animals had an average dingo ancestry of about 87 percent.

The population also carries cultural importance for the Wotjobaluk Nations of western Victoria, reflected in rock art and creation stories. At the same time, farmers have reported livestock losses, creating tension over how the animals should be managed.

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This population has examples of full siblings we think are breeding with each other. We think [Wilkerr] is well on its way to extinction.

National protection could override South Australian laws permitting dingoes to be culled or eliminated. It could also complicate a possible reversal of dingo protections in Victoria. Australian Dingo Foundation director Melinda Browning called for a halt to lethal control while the assessment continues.

"It seems crazy to be assessing a critically endangered population while lethal control is still happening," Browning said. Ritchie has also raised the possibility of reintroducing dingoes from other sub-populations, though the article text ends before detailing that proposal.

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It seems crazy to be assessing a critically endangered population while lethal control is still happening.