FAQs
Got questions about dingoes, Wilkerr or our work in the Big Desert? You’re in the right place. We’ve answered the most common queries about dingo behaviour, conservation, genetics, and how the public can get involved.
Dingoes
1. What is a dingo?
A dingo is a wild canid native to Australia, believed to have arrived thousands of years ago. They play a vital role as apex predators, helping to regulate ecosystems and maintain balance between species.
2. Are dingoes native to Australia?
Yes. Under the federal EPBC Act, any flora or fauna present before 1400 AD is considered native. Dingoes are officially recognised as native wildlife.
3. How can I tell the difference between a dingo, a feral dog, and a hybrid?
It is not always possible to determine ancestry from appearance alone. Dingoes occur in a wide range of coat colours and physical forms, and visual characteristics cannot reliably establish whether an animal has domestic dog ancestry. Genetic testing provides the most reliable way to assess ancestry and population relationships.
4. Why are dingoes important for ecosystems?
As apex predators, dingoes help control populations of invasive species like foxes and cats, which benefits small native animals. They also help balance herbivore numbers like kangaroos, reducing overgrazing. Their presence supports healthier, more biodiverse landscapes.
5. Do dingoes pose a threat to humans or livestock?
Dingoes are generally shy and avoid humans. Most concerns stem from areas where their behaviour has been altered by feeding or persecution. Livestock impacts are often overstated and can usually be managed non-lethally with good husbandry practices.
Big Desert Dingo Research
6. Who runs Big Desert Dingo Research?
Big Desert Dingo Research is led by founder Leesh Martion, an independent field researcher and conservation advocate.
7. When and why was the project founded?
Big Desert Dingo Research began in 2020 as Wildlife Cams Victoria, when Leesh placed a single trail camera in the Big Desert to better understand and document the dingoes living there. What started as a small independent monitoring project quickly grew as more individuals, family groups and behaviours were recorded across the landscape.
In 2023, the project became Big Desert Dingo Research, reflecting its growing focus on long-term Wilkerr population monitoring, behaviour, genetics and conservation. Subsequent genetic research identifying Wilkerr as a genetically distinct, highly isolated and severely inbred population reinforced the importance of continued monitoring and protection.
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8. Is Big Desert Dingo Research affiliated with any government or academic institutions?
We are an independent project, but we work in collaboration with researchers at Deakin University and communicate with relevant departments, including DEECA, to ensure our work contributes to broader scientific and conservation goals. We are not a government agency and maintain our independence to advocate for better policy.
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9. Where do you conduct your fieldwork?
Our fieldwork is centred on the Big Desert-Wyperfeld region of north-west Victoria and adjoining landscapes, including areas connected to Ngarkat Conservation Park in South Australia.
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10. How is Big Desert Dingo Research funded?
Big Desert Dingo Research is independently run and the majority of fieldwork has historically been self-funded. We have also received support through research grants, donations and community fundraising, which helps cover equipment, travel, camera monitoring, field supplies and other research costs.
Big Desert Dingo Research does not receive an ongoing government salary or operational funding, and much of the work is carried out on a voluntary basis.
Research Methods
11. What methods do you use to study dingoes?
We use non-invasive methods like trail cameras to monitor movement, behaviour, and presence. We also collect scat samples and swab them for DNA analysis, helping us understand genetics without disturbing the animals.
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12. Do you use GPS collars or tagging?
We currently use non-invasive monitoring methods rather than GPS collars or tagging. For the Wilkerr/Big Desert dingo population, we prioritise camera trapping, genetic sampling and observational methods that allow us to collect long-term data without capturing or handling animals.
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13. Do you interact with or handle the animals?
No. All our research is hands-off. Our goal is to observe and learn without interfering with Wilkerrs natural behaviour.
14. Are your research methods ethical and non-invasive?
Yes. We follow strict non-invasive protocols and prioritise animal welfare in everything we do. There is no need to capture or handle dingoes / Wilkerr to gather meaningful data.
Genetics and Identification
15. Can genetic testing determine dingo ancestry?
Yes. Genetic testing can provide information about ancestry, relatedness and population structure. Scat, tissue and other biological samples can be analysed to assess dingo ancestry and identify evidence of domestic dog introgression.
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16. Who analyses the genetic samples?
Scat swab DNA is analysed by Dr Andrew Weeks at CESAR. Any tissue samples we collect are sent to both CESAR and Dr Kylie Cairns at UNSW for further analysis and long-term genetic monitoring.
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17. Why is dingo genetic diversity important?
Genetic diversity is important for the long-term health and resilience of wildlife populations. Small and isolated populations can lose genetic variation over time and become increasingly inbred, potentially reducing their ability to adapt to environmental change and other pressures. For Wilkerr, genetic research has identified extremely low diversity, high inbreeding and strong population isolation, making continued monitoring and conservation particularly important.
Threats and Management
18. Why are dingoes being baited or shot in the Big Desert?
Big Desert dingoes / Wilkerr are now fully protected on the Victorian side of the border, but in South Australia they’re still targeted under eradication programs south of the dog fence. Some Victorian landholders are also continuing illegal control despite the law, often blaming dingoes for stock losses that may be caused by other factors like weather or lambing issues.
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19. Is baiting legal in Victoria?
Dingo baiting is banned in northwest Victoria, including the Big Desert, where dingoes are fully protected. However, fox baiting remains a grey area. While it is intended for foxes, 1080 baits also kill dingoes, and we have not received clear guidance from authorities on whether it is currently permitted in this region. Meanwhile, in eastern Victoria, both dingo and fox baiting continue, contributing to the ongoing fragmentation and decline of dingo populations.
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20. What are your views on the Victorian Unprotection Order?
We believe dingoes should be protected across all of Victoria. The unprotection order in the east has fragmented populations and undermines their ecological role. It's time for a consistent, science-based approach state-wide.
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21. How do planned burns affect dingo populations?
Planned burns can disrupt dingo populations in several ways. Fires can remove shelter and den sites, especially during breeding season. They can reduce prey availability, push dingoes closer to human activity, and increase the risk of conflict. Burned areas can also make dingoes more visible to shooters and baiters. When burns overlap with other pressures like baiting and trapping, the combined impact can be devastating.
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22. What alternatives exist to lethal control?
There are many proven non-lethal options, including livestock guardian animals (like alpacas, Maremma's, and donkeys), exclusion fencing, electric fencing, and fox-lights. Humane Society International has a free Predator Smart Farming guide that outlines these solutions in detail: Predator Smart Farming Guide (HSI).
Get Involved
23. How can I support your work?
You can support our work by purchasing from our Redbubble shop. Every sale helps cover the cost of equipment, fuel, and research supplies. Or you can like, follow and share our social media posts.
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24. Can I volunteer or donate?
At this stage, we’re not accepting volunteers due to the sensitive nature of our research sites. We're also not set up for direct donations, but you can still support us through our Redbubble shop. If you’d like to contribute to dingo research more broadly, we recommend donating to Dr Kylie Cairns or the Australian Dingo Foundation.
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25. Do you accept student researchers or interns?
Not at this time. Our work requires a very specific setup and limited access to sensitive locations, so we’re not currently in a position to take on students or interns.
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26. How can Traditional Owners or landholders collaborate with you?
We’re always open to collaborating with Traditional Owners, landholders, and other local stakeholders. If you’re interested in working with us, please reach out via our contact page.
Advocacy and Policy
27. Do you work with government agencies or challenge their decisions?
Yes. We’ve worked with government agencies where possible, and we’re not afraid to challenge decisions when policies or actions put dingo populations at risk. Advocacy is a big part of what we do.
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28. Have you made formal submissions or FOI requests?
Yes. We’ve submitted many Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to government departments over the years. These requests help us hold agencies accountable and gather transparency on dingo management decisions.
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29. What policy changes do you want to see?
We want dingoes to be fully protected across all of Australia. This includes repealing unprotection orders, ending lethal control programs, and recognising dingoes as essential native wildlife deserving of national conservation support.
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30. How do you respond to misinformation in the media?
We address misinformation by contacting media outlets directly to correct the record. We also call it out publicly on our social media pages, providing evidence-based information and scientific references where possible.
Community and Public Engagement
31. Do you run education programs or events?
We don’t currently run formal events ourselves, but we share educational content regularly through our website and social media to help the public learn about dingoes, their behaviour, and the threats they face.
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32. Can I book you for a talk or school visit?
Yes. If you’re interested in a talk, guest presentation or school visit, please reach out through our contact page and we’ll see what we can organise.
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33. Is the public allowed to access your research sites?
No. Due to the critically low number of dingoes / Wilkerr in the Big Desert and the threat of illegal killings, we don’t share the location of our research sites and they are not open to the public.
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34. What should I do if I see a dingo in the wild?
- Enjoy the moment from a respectful distance.
- Don’t run! Dingoes are predators and may interpret running as prey behaviour.
- Stay calm and still. If needed, make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and using a loud voice. Most dingoes will move away on their own.
- Never feed wild dingoes.
- If you see a pup and aren't sure if it’s alone, consider setting up a trail camera to monitor the area.
For support or advice, contact the relevant organisation in your state:
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Victoria:
- Australian Dingo Foundation
- Dingo Coexistence
- Big Desert Dingo Research (that's us!)
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South Australia:
- Big Desert Dingo Research (that's us!)
New South Wales:
- Highlands Dingo Rescue
- Bargo Dingo Sanctuary
Western Australia:
- Perth Dingo Rescue
- WA Dingo Association Inc
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Queensland:
- NQ & FNQ Dingo Protection Group
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These groups can offer guidance on what to do next, especially if the animal appears injured, orphaned, or at risk.