First Nations groups demand immediate stop to killing dingoes as control method

First Nations people around the country have called for the immediate end of lethal dingo control, following an inaugural national dingo forum held in Cairns on Friday and Saturday.

A national dingo declaration signed by representatives from more than 20 First Nations groups says “lethal control should never be an option”.

“We do not, and have never, approved the killing of dingoes. Killing dingoes is killing family. We demand an immediate stop to this ‘management’ across Australia,” the statement reads.

“Dingoes are genetically, physically, and behaviourally different to domestic dogs, and must not be treated as such.”

The consensus statement comes after dozens of scientists wrote to the New South Wales, Victorian and South Australian governments last month pushing for changes to dingo policies in light of new scientific research revealing most dingoes as genetically pure.

“The dingo is a cultural icon representing a vital connection to Country whose significance cannot be put into words,” the statement reads.

“Dingoes remain deeply embedded in the daily lives of First Nations peoples as companions, hunting partners, protectors, and family members. They share our same experience of atrocities and journey of survival.”

Dingoes are classified as native species in all jurisdictions on the Australian mainland, but are subject to lethal control activities in some national parks, including trapping and aerial and ground shooting.

“The legislation doesn’t value our perspectives or our cultural values and rights,” said Sonya Takau, communications officer at Girringun Aboriginal Corporation.

Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, which organised the national First Nations dingo forum, represents the interests of nine traditional owner groups across far north Queensland.

“History was made over the weekend,” Takau said. “We’ve made a very serious declaration to government, and we hope that they will commence communication with us and bring us to the table with other stakeholders to have a say.”

“We understand that farmers, particularly sheep and goat farmers, will be concerned about protecting their livestock from predation by dingoes. But we want to work alongside landholders to adopt readily available non-lethal solutions,” Takau added.

“There are landholders in Australia and overseas that have had great success protecting their livestock from predators using guardian animals in paddocks, such as maremmas.”

The national statement advocates for a “caring for dingoes on country model”, combining evidence-based practice with traditional knowledge.

“We demand our rights to have our voice, and capacity to apply culture in all matters relating to the dingo. We have the right as Traditional Custodians to be directly involved in decision-making in all legislation and management actions that impact dingoes, across all levels of government,” it declares.

Prof Euan Ritchie, an ecologist at Deakin University and a member of the Biodiversity Council, described the national declaration as “a watershed moment for dingoes”.

“The perspectives and concerns of First Nations peoples have been sidelined for far too long. This powerful declaration makes very clear that we as a country must change management and policy to better recognise the cultural importance of dingoes,” said Ritchie, who attended the conference.

“Dingoes, as Australia’s largest land-based predator aside from people, are critical for maintaining healthy Country. But as the declaration shows they are also fundamental to the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples.”

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This article by Donna Lu was first published by The Guardian on 18 September 2023. Lead Image: Two dingoes on K’gari. A national dingo declaration signed by Indigenous groups says ‘lethal control should never be an option’. Photograph: Sam Brisby/Getty Images/iStockphoto.