New research provides practical guide for evidence-based wild dog management

The National Wild Dog Action Plan (NWDAP) is highlighting an important new research paper that provides policy makers, land managers and stakeholders with an accessible, evidence-based guide to many of the most commonly debated issues surrounding dingo ecology and wild dog management.

Published in Ecological Management & Restoration, the paper by researcher Dr Ben Allen examines 15 commonly debated topics relating to dingoes and classifies them as myths, furphies and red herrings. Rather than adding to longstanding debate, the paper aims to help decision-makers clarify and focus on the issues most likely to improve wild dog and dingo management outcomes.

Dr Ben Allen said he hoped the paper would become a practical resource for everyone involved in wild dog management and policy.

“My hope is that this paper becomes a practical reference for anyone involved in dingo management or policy. Rather than revisiting the same intractable debates, I’d like to see more attention given to the knowledge gaps that can genuinely improve future management. This guide should help people to do that.”

Dr Allen describes the guide as “a one-stop-shop for quick replies on all the major issues. It’s a status check on 15 of the most challenging issues – five myths, five furphies and five red herrings.”

National Wild Dog Action Plan Coordinator Greg Mifsud said the publication demonstrates the value of making current scientific knowledge accessible to those responsible for developing policy and implementing on-ground management.

“Wild dog and dingo management is one of Australia’s most complex wildlife management challenges, with significant implications for livestock production, biodiversity conservation, animal welfare and rural communities,” Mr Mifsud said.

“Good policy relies on the best available evidence. This paper provides policy makers, land managers and industry with a practical resource that brings together current scientific knowledge in a way that is accessible, balanced and relevant to management decisions.”

The paper also reinforces an important principle underpinning the National Wild Dog Action Plan, that effective wild dog management should be evidence-based, adaptive and responsive to local circumstances while recognising the diverse environmental, agricultural, cultural and community values associated with wild dogs across Australia.

Importantly, rather than focusing solely on summarising existing debates, the paper identifies priority areas where future research can make the greatest contribution to improving wild dog and dingo management. These include strengthening knowledge of dingo genetics and population structure, understanding the effects of management on dingo populations and other wildlife, and continuing to evaluate both lethal and non-lethal management tools.

Mr Mifsud said these priorities closely align with the National Wild Dog Action Plan’s commitment to continuous improvement through research, collaboration and adaptive management.

“One of the greatest values of this paper is that it encourages everyone involved in dingo and wild dog management to focus less on revisiting longstanding debates and more on addressing the knowledge gaps that will genuinely improve future policy and management,” he said.

“Resources such as this help build a shared understanding across jurisdictions and stakeholder groups, supporting consistent, transparent and evidence-based decision making.”

The National Wild Dog Action Plan encourages policy makers, land managers, researchers and community stakeholders to consider the paper as a valuable contribution to the ongoing development of evidence-based wild dog management across Australia.

ENDS

Click to read the paper – Myths, Furphies and Red Herrings Associated With Dingo Ecology and Management, Ben Allen July 2026