The Victorian Government announces it intends to continue killing dingoes on public land.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Victorian Government has announced its intention to extend the Order in Council that removes protections for dingoes on public land in eastern Victoria until 2028. This order permits the trapping, shooting, and poisoning of dingoes in public conservation areas, including National Parks.

There have been increasing calls from local Traditional Owner groups across the state to be included in decisions around the management of culturally significant species, including dingoes. This decision is deeply disappointing and fails to reflect the ecological and cultural importance of dingoes in Victoria.

Maintaining dingoes in the environment works to regulate numbers of kangaroos, preventing overgrazing. They also act to eradicate feral goats and foxes as well as suppress cats and feral pigs. 

More encouragingly, the Government has removed the $120 bounty that incentivises the hunting of dingoes across the state. They have also committed $2 million dollars to delivering non-lethal alternatives and dingo monitoring in the states north-west, where a geographically isolated population of dingoes was protected earlier this year. 

Defend the Wild is committed to working with the government to reinstate protections for dingoes in public conservation areas, such as National Parks, where their presence is essential for maintaining balanced ecosystems.

Comments attributable to Caitie Wilson, Defend the Wild Communications Director: 

“We are deeply disappointed by the government's decision to continue trapping, shooting, and poisoning dingoes across public lands, including National Parks. These areas should be committed to conservation, and dingoes are an essential part of that. We will continue working with the government to ensure dingo protections are reinstated in these areas.”

“It is encouraging to see the removal of the $120 bounty that has previously been offered to hunters to incentivise the killing of dingoes, as well as an investment of $2 million dollars in the states north-west to support monitoring and non-lethal predator mitigation strategies.”

For further information contact: 

Caitie Wilson 
Communications Director 
0431 393 702

About Defend the Wild:

Defend the Wild is a leading wildlife conservation organisation dedicated to protection of Australian wildlife and preservation of their habitats. Through advocacy, research, and community engagement, we strive to foster a future where humans and wildlife thrive. Visit us at www.defendthewild.org for more information.