A population of desert dingoes residing in a limited area spanning Victoria and South Australia is set to undergo an evaluation for potential designation as a threatened species under national environmental legislation. The estimated number of adult dingoes in this population is around 100, which is at risk of significant decline due to increasing inbreeding rates.
A public consultation process is scheduled to assess whether these desert dingoes should be classified as critically endangered, with the evaluation extending over three years, concluding in 2029. This group of dingoes may become the first to gain national acknowledgment of their endangered status.
Environmental scientists and advocates express concerns regarding the dingoes, which inhabit nature reserves along the border of Victoria and South Australia, as they face the double jeopardy of inbreeding and historical population management practices that have included culling. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC), which provides recommendations to the federal government on species and ecosystems in danger, will dedicate the next three years to determining the necessity of national protection for this dingo population.
Professor Euan Ritchie, a wildlife ecologist from Deakin University, noted that genetic studies and camera trap evidence indicate that the Wilkerr population is experiencing high levels of inbreeding. “There are approximately 100 or fewer adult individuals in this group,” Professor Ritchie stated. “We have observed instances of full siblings breeding with one another, suggesting that Wilkerr is on a trajectory towards extinction.”
However, there are conflicting interests concerning the future of the Wilkerr dingoes. For instance, farmers dealing with livestock losses have one perspective, while Indigenous groups are concerned about the potential loss of cultural heritage associated with the species.
Should national protection be granted, it could supersede state regulations in South Australia that permit the culling of dingoes, as well as impact the status of dingoes in Victoria, where protection might be reversed.
Two years ago, the Australian Dingo Foundation and Big Desert Dingo Research submitted a request to the TSSC to evaluate the Wilkerr population for critical endangerment. Their application emphasized genetic analyses that have identified various distinct dingo populations throughout Australia. The Wilkerr group is recognized as one of eight genetically unique sub-populations of dingoes within the country and holds cultural significance for the Wotjobaluk Nations of Western Victoria, as evidenced by rock art and traditional stories.
Research comparing the genetics of contemporary dingoes with ancient DNA from pre-colonization indicates that these animals remain primarily genetically distinct from other dog breeds, despite some historical interbreeding. The average dingo ancestry among 16 sampled Wilkerr individuals stands at approximately 87 percent.
Melinda Browning, director of the Australian Dingo Foundation, has advocated for a halt to all lethal control measures aimed at the Wilkerr population, especially in South Australia, while the assessment is in progress. “It seems illogical to evaluate a population that may be critically endangered while lethal control measures are still being enacted,” she remarked.
Professor Ritchie suggested that introducing dingoes from other sub-populations might be necessary to bolster genetic diversity and enhance the population’s survival prospects. However, he acknowledged that there are currently no plans for such translocations, noting the territorial nature of dingoes which complicates the process.
The Wilkerr dingoes inhabit the Ngarkat Conservation Park in South Australia, which is adjacent to the Limestone Coast, a region that supports 80 percent of the state’s sheep industry. The South Australian government distinguishes between dingoes in the north and wild dogs in the south, with the latter term encompassing all wild-living dogs, including dingoes, feral dogs, and hybrids.
A spokesperson from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) stated that they adopt a practical approach to managing wild dogs. “Within the state dog fence, including Ngarkat Conservation Park, wild dogs are managed to protect South Australia’s $1.7 billion sheep industry. Outside this fencing, across much of the state, dingoes are recognized for their ecological and cultural significance and are managed only when they pose a threat to livestock or human safety,” the spokesperson added.
The South Australian government has yet to formally assess the Wilkerr population’s threatened status but expressed concerns regarding the evidence presented to support its critical endangerment nomination. Specifically, they noted that the nomination relies heavily on genetic data, raising questions about the population’s geographical distribution, actual numbers, and evidence of decline.
Wilkerr dingoes have enjoyed protection in Victoria since 2024, but this status could be jeopardized if the opposition party, which has pledged to revoke such protections, wins the upcoming state election in November. Peter Star, a member of the Victorian Farmers Federation and a livestock producer, emphasized the need for farmer protections as well. “When dingoes are protected, farmers also require safeguards,” he stated. “It is essential for them to maintain sustainable and profitable operations, particularly as their mental well-being is at stake.” He highlighted that farmers in northwestern Victoria, adjacent to national parks, are currently unable to take measures against any dogs that enter their properties.
If federal protection is enacted, farmers would face additional regulations, complicating their ability to manage their lands effectively.
