FORESTS NSW Tumbarumba-based Feral Animal Control officer, Mark Goldspink, has an enviable record when it comes to controlling wild dogs and it’s set to continue this winter, according to the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
According to the government body, there have been no stock losses on farms bordering the State forests around Tumbarumba and Batlow which Mr Goldspink’s has patrolled for the past six and-a-half years.
Two years ago he also started to patrol around Tallaganda State Forest near Braidwood and Badga State Forest near Cooma, and he has received no reports of stock losses in these additional areas.
Mr Goldspink is gearing up for a busy period in the high country as cold weather sets in.
“The wild dogs are more active going into winter. Some are heavy in pup and will need more food,” Mr Goldspink said.
Wild dogs can cruelly destroy livestock and are estimated to cost NSW around $16 million each year.
Forests NSW have implemented an integrated pest animal management program using baiting, trapping, monitoring and guard animals to keep on top of the wild dog problem.
Mr Goldspink moves around the forests with five of his own dogs, tracing scents to track wild dogs, whose movements have often been reported by local farmers or log truck drivers.
This year the experienced trapper has killed approximately a dozen wild dogs around Tumbarumba caught in soft-jawed traps and he has killed a similar number with baits.
“You have to think like a wild dog to trap them successfully,” Mr Goldspink said.
“One of the most important aspects of dog trapping is to know how, why and where to place the trap for the best results.
"When I can’t trap a dog, I am constantly thinking about how I will outsmart that dog.
“It takes over my life. It’s part of the job because every wild dog is different - they don’t grow old by being silly.”
Mr Goldspink said local farmer, Ross Kellam, has successfully used alpacas as guard animals since 2000 as part of the program. While Tumbarumba farmer, Rex Bergin, uses a llama to protect his stock from wild dogs and town dogs.
The expert trapper’s skills have been sought by others working to control wild dogs.
Mr Goldspink recently returned from Orange, where for the past five years, he has presented a segment on dog trapping at NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Vertebrate Pest Animal Management course, which has received excellent reviews.
