Dingo reintroduction plan to hunt feral pests in Victoria slammed

The proposed plan to “trial the reintroduction of dingoes as an apex predator into suitable Victorian ecosystems” has been slammed - immediately dismissed as a “fairytale”.

It was suggested that dingoes could be reintroduced as an ‘apex predator into suitable Victorian ecosystems’.

A proposal to stop killing feral pests in Victoria and reintroduce dingoes to hunt them instead has been lashed by the federal agriculture minister.

David Littleproud hit out at the idea, recommended by a state parliamentary inquiry, and called for Premier Daniel Andrews to immediately dismiss the “fairytale” plan.

The state government has yet to comment on the findings of the Environment and Planning Committee, which released its Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria report in December.

It recommended that the government “trial the reintroduction of dingoes as an apex predator into suitable Victorian ecosystems” and that it should be accompanied by “cessation of lethal control for pest species in the trial area”.

Dingo with feral cat in mouth. Picture: Sarah Legge of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy

Under the plan, farmers whose livestock were preyed upon by dingoes would be compensated.

Mr Littleproud said and end to killing pests would cause a population “explosion” and there was a “constant battle to protect Australia’s prime agricultural land and unique environment” from pests and weeds.

“How do these geniuses expect us to protect our natural flora and fauna without lethal force

against these introduced pests,” Mr Littleproud said.

“They are simply going to destroy our environment and agriculture in Victoria. Feral pigs, foxes, wild dogs, feral cats, rabbits and feral deer cause enormous damage to our native fauna, flora and our livestock, broadacre crops and horticulture.”

“Vertebrate pest is estimated to cost Australia $800 million a year in terms of production losses and control activities.”

He said Mr Andres should immediately dismiss the findings.

Culling of wild deer in the Alpine National Park has begun to help prevent environmental damage.

A Victorian government spokesman said it would respond to the parliamentary inquiry in “due course”.

“Invasive species cause significant problems for farmers and impact primary industries across Victoria,” the spokesman said.

“They can also harm natural ecosystems and reduce biodiversity.

“Victoria has submitted proposals to the Federal Government for co-funded projects, including for wild dog control. We welcome the opportunity to work together to reduce the impacts of invasive species in our state.”

The government has six months to respond.

A 2019 study by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics found land managers spend, on average, $8189 each year on managing pest animals.