Australia’s Dingo

‘…no-matter what sort of animal, bird or snake…
all that animal same like us.
Our friend that.’
Bill Neidjie, Gaagudju Elder, Kakadu.

Widely regarded as Australia’s native wild dog, the Dingo (which shares the family Canidae with domestic dogs and the introduced Red Fox) is actually a relatively recent arrival to these shores. Dingoes can trace their lineage to the Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), and some believe they represent Australia’s first deliberately introduced mammal. Whether Aboriginal or Asian people orchestrated their arrival on this continent around 3000 years ago is unknown. (Aborigines have enjoyed a close relationship with Dingoes, but strong natural instincts make them difficult to domesticate.) Animals in the family Canidae have non-retractable claws and long muzzles armed with sharp canine teeth, New research suggests that this iconic predator could be an ecological saviour and help to restore the natural order of the Australian bush.

Undying Curiosity

A mature adult male dingo pauses to drink in the floodwaters of Queensland. It behaviour was unusual in that it paid no attention to my presence indicating that human contact was not uncommon for this animal. Wild dingoes are normally very shy.

Time Out

Famous or infamous? Villain or victim? Controversy has surrounded the Dingo in Australia but new research suggests that this iconic predator could be an ecological saviour and help to restore the natural order of the Australian bush.

Artful Stalker

A male dingo stalking a female, Fraser Island World Heritage National Park, Queensland.

On Scent

Alpine Dingo Alpine National Park, Victoria

Born to Hunt

This young alpine dingo was raised at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria. Even in this semi-controlled situation as soon as the animal was given free rein in the adjacent bushlands, they reverted to its natural behaviour, that of a lurking carnivore.