A NEW documentary, Dingo: Wild dog at war, will shed light on how graziers and researchers are working to deal with wild dogs.
The show will screen this Sunday, December 8, at 7.30pm on the ABC.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) staff assisted the documentary makers in turning their wild dog experiences and scientific investigations into a feature length exploration of the issues surrounding wild dog and dingo management.
The documentary highlights the impact of wild dogs in western NSW where then-NSW DPI project officer, Ben Allen, was investigating wild dog behaviour and management.
Mr Allen worked with Western District graziers to help establish effective management programs, including integrated group baiting and trapping, to prevent wild dogs from establishing a strong presence on the eastern side of the wild dog barrier fence.
Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) funded Mr Allen's work when wild dogs were found to have breached the iconic fence, which posed a threat to sheep producers.
NSW DPI principal research scientist Peter Fleming said the documentary showed the contrasting aspects of the environment, wildlife and livestock industries on either side of the dog fence.
"It highlights the importance of our research to better understand wild dog behaviour and how that knowledge can be used to better manage the impacts of pest animals," Dr Fleming said.
"Along with our partners, AWI, the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Meat & Livestock Australia and grazier groups across state, we are working to reduce the social, economic and environmental impacts of wild dogs."
Through its commitment to the NSW Wild Dog Management Strategy, the government promotes a co-operative, nil-tenure approach which is helping to safeguard livestock, native wildlife and communities from the threats posed by wild dogs, according to the DPI.
Tailored to specific locations, group management programs target problem pests across the landscape using multiple methods, including baiting and trapping, a spokesman said.
Ongoing research continued to supply data to fine tune wild dog management strategies, including the conservation of dingoes.
Wild dogs are responsible for an annual economic loss of more than $50 million.
They affect livestock industries, farm animals, pets, native wildlife and people through attack and the spread of diseases and parasites.
