PARK WATCH Article September 2025 |

Jordan Crook, Parks and Nature Campaigner, on the recent Dingo Education Day

For over 200 years, Dingoes have been persecuted, culled and mistreated. Debates about their genetics, origins and behaviours have resulted in a blurring of an undeniable truth: Dingoes are the boss of Country and pivotal to its health and resilience.

Recently, more than 140 people packed into Yellingbo Hall for a Dingo Education Day, seeking science-based information about managing relationships between Dingoes and livestock. It follows what organisers described as an inadequate government consultation earlier this year. That community consultation – conducted by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Agriculture Victoria – left attendees with more questions than answers about Dingo management practices. In the absence of clear scientific guidance, misinformation has begun circulating.

The event featured a presentation by Professor Euan Ritchie from Deakin University, who has conducted extensive research on Dingo ecology across Australia. But the star of the show was Pumbah the Dingo, alongside Lyn and Mel from the Australian Dingo Foundation.

One benefit of the day was speaking with local landholders and discussing non-lethal techniques for managing Dingo and stock interactions. Like collecting DNA samples from animals they shoot for genetic analysis.

The Dingo is culturally significant to First Nations communities across Victoria. Decisions about Dingoes and other culturally significant wildlife must be made in partnership with Traditional Owner. These must be culturally safe and include genuine shared decision-making processes.

If we are to truly learn to live in and love this place called Australia, we must put down the bait, the guns and ‘wild dog’ myths and learn to live with this iconic and pivotal native animal. That can only be done with collaboration between farmers, First Peoples and scientists.

We look forward to keeping these conversations going and helping both people and Dingoes.

The Dingo Education Day was run by VNPA with support from the Australian Dingo Foundation and Wildlife of the Central Highlands (WOTCH)