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AUSSIE GUARDIAN

Protecting our Biodiversity

The Dingo plays a vital part in Australian ecology. Having been the nation's apex terrestrial predator for up to 20,000 years, the Dingo's role in Australian biodiversity is irreplaceable. Dingoes are the only native terrestrial animal that can keep numbers of large herbivores like kangaroos balanced. Keeping numbers of large herbivores balanced allows for the regrowth of vegetation that supplies other animals with food and shelter, and also prevents erosion of soils and sand around lakes, rivers and beaches. Without the Dingo, vegetation becomes over-consumed by herbivores and species of both native flora and fauna struggle to procreate. Eventually many species of plants, marsupials, mammals, reptiles and birds become extinct.

Since European settlement and the extensive eradication of the Dingo, over 100 native plant, 23 native bird, 4 native frog and 27 native mammal species have become extinct in Australia (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).

Introduced Ferals & Pests

When Europeans arrived in Australia, they introduced foreign animals that our native plants and animals were unable to compete with. These feral animals quickly took advantage of Australia's fragile ecosystem and have bred to plague proportions, daily placing immense pressure on our native flora and fauna. Studies conducted in central Australia found that just one feral cat was responsible for consuming over 30 native animals in just one night (Arid Recovery). With approximately 18 million feral cats in Australia it is not surprising  that over 150 native species have become extinct since European settlement, with many others like the Bilby and the Eastern Barred Bandicoot soon to follow. 

As unlikely as it may seem, the only natural and highly sustainable solution to the feral pest problem is the Dingo. Dingoes have been recorded to successfully eradicate feral cat and fox populations within their territories, and effectively manage numbers of feral rabbit, hare, goat, pig and kangaroo. This has resulted in the regrowth of endangered native vegetation, and the return of native animals like the Burrowing Bettong and Spinifex Hopping Mouse. 

Unlike foxes and cats, Dingoes band together in packs to hunt prey larger than themselves. This allows smaller animals that are otherwise heavily targeted by feral cats and foxes to breed. The Dingo removes the feral predators that hunt our natives, as well as the feral herbivores that compete with our natives for food, shelter and territory. By allowing the Dingo to fulfil its natural role as Australia's apex terrestrial predator, many of our native species can be saved from the negative impacts of the feral pests listed below. 

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Feral Cat
Felis Catus
Est. 18 Million 
  • Heavy predation of native animals
  • Predation and disruption of native animal breeding sites
  • Spread of disease and parasites 

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European Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Est. 7 Million
  • Excessive predation of native animals
  • Predation and disruption of native animal breeding sites
  • Spread of disease and parasites 

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Feral Pig
Sus scrofa linnaeus 
Est. 23 Million 
  • Destruction of native habitats 
  • Over-consumption of native plants, grasses and small animals
  • Predation and disruption of native animal breeding sites
  • Spread of disease and parasites

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Feral Goat
Capra aegagrus hircus
Est. 3+ Million 
  • Destruction of native habitats
  • Over-consumption of native plants and grasses
  • Disruption of native animal breeding sites
  • Spread of disease and parasites 

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European Hare
Lepus europaeus
Est. 5+ Million 
  • Destruction of native habitats
  • Over-consumption of native plants and grasses
  • Disruption of native animal breeding sites
  • Spread of disease and parasites 

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European Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Est. 200+ Million 
  • Destruction of native habitats
  • Over-consumption of native plants and grasses
  • Disruption of native animal breeding sites
  • Spread of disease and parasites 

The Dingo Difference

With over 250 million feral cats, foxes, pigs, goats, hares and rabbits threatening our native flora fauna, it is of little wonder that so many natives are vulnerable to the threat of extinction. As unlikely as it may seem, the only natural and highly sustainable solution to the feral pest problem, and the protection of our natives, is in fact the Dingo.

If the Dingo was once again permitted to perform the natural role it had been performing for the 20,000 years, there is a strong inference that the balance of Australian biodiversity would drastically improve. Places where the Dingo has been eradicated has seen a decline in other native animals and plants. However, where the Dingo has been reintroduced, our native flora and fauna has bounced back as the Dingo has protected our natives against feral threats and the overpopulation of large native herbivores. 

Below are some of our most vulnerable natives that the Dingo has the capacity to save. 
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Bilby
Macrotis lagotis
Critically Endangered 
  • Predation by feral cats and foxes
  • Competition for food and territory with introduced species (rabbit, hare, goat, pig)

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Red-tailed Black Cockatoo
Calyptorhychus banksii
Critically Endangered
  • Predation of eggs and nestlings by feral cats
  • Habitat loss 


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Eastern Barred Bandicoot 
Perameles gunnii
Critically Endangered
  • Predation by  feral cats and foxes
  • Competition for food and territory with introduced species (rat, rabbit, hare)

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Black-breasted Button-quail
Turnix melanogaster
Critically Endangered
  • Predation by feral cats and foxes
  • Habitat loss

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Numbat
Myrmecobius fasciatus 
Endangered
  • Predation by feral cats and foxes
  • Competition for food with introduced species (rabbit, hare, goat, pig)


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Dusky Hoping Mouse
Notomys fuscus
Endangered
  • Predation by feral cats and foxes

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Eastern Quoll
Dasyurus viverrinus
Endangered
  • Competition with feral cats and foxes for food
  • Predation of offspring by feral cats and foxes
  • Habitat loss
  • Illegal shooting and trapping

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Southern Brown Bandicoot
Isoodon obesulus obesulus 
Endangered
  • Predation by  feral cats and foxes
  • Habitat loss 

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Lumholtz's Tree Kangaroo
Dendrolagus lumholtzi
Threatened
  • Predation by foxes
  • Habitat loss

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Superb Parrot
Polytelis swainsonii
Vulnerable
  • Predation by  feral cats and foxes
  • Habitat loss 

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Superb Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus superbus
Vulnerable
  • Predation by  feral cats and foxes
  • Habitat loss

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Southern Cassowary
Casuarius casuarius
Vulnerable
  • Habitat loss
  • Predation of eggs and nestlings by feral pigs

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Burrowing Bettong
Bettongia lesueur
Critically Endangered 
  • Predation by feral cats and foxes
  • Competition for food and territory with introduced species (rabbit, hare, goat, pig)

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Orange-bellied Parrot
Neophema chrysogaster
Critically Endangered
  • Predation by feral cats and foxes
  • Habitat loss

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Leadbeater's Possum 
Gymnobelideus leadbeateri 
Critically Endangered
  • Predation by  feral cats
  • Habitat loss

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Beach Stone Curlew
Esacus neglectus
Critically Endangered
  • Predation by  feral cats and foxes
  • Nest disturbance and predation of eggs and nestlings by feral rats, cats and foxes 
  • Habitat loss

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Bush Stone Curlew
Burhinus grallarius
Endangered
  • Predation by  feral cats and foxes
  • Nest disturbance and predation of eggs and nestlings by feral rats, cats and foxes 
  • Habitat loss

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Spotted-Tailed Quoll
Dasyurus maculatus
Endangered
  • Competition with feral cats and foxes for food
  • Predation of offspring by feral cats and foxes
  • Habitat loss
  • Illegal shooting and trapping

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Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby
Petrogale penicillata
Endangered
  • Predation by feral cats and foxes
  • Competition for food with introduced species (rabbit, hare, goat, pig)

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Princess Parrot
Polytelis alexandrae
Threatened
  • Predation by feral cats 
  • Habitat loss

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Long Nosed Potoroo
Potorous tridactylus
Vulnerable
  • Predation by feral cats and foxes
  • Competition for food with introduced species (rabbit, hare, goat, pig)

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Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus regina
Vulnerable
  • Predation by  feral cats and foxes
  • Habitat loss 

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Brolga 
Grus rubicundus
Vulnerable
  • Predation of eggs and nestlings by feral cats, pigs and foxes 

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