Managing wild dogs at Hunchy: Pest, partnership, and people power

Abstract

Invasive species threaten human and animal welfare, environment, community, and industry. The locality of Hunchy on the Sunshine Coast has a history of wild dog impacts. This project critically assessed if an integrated long-term pest management program could be effective in reducing wild dog activity at both a localised and landscape level. The Hunchy Wild dog project was a perfect example of pest, partnership, and people power. Through a collaboration with four private landholders and council, the Hunchy wild dog project on the Sunshine Coast ran from 2018-2021. The management of wild dogs included the use of canid pest ejectors, soft catch foothold traps, and field shooting. Cameras were used to monitor for changes in wild dog and prey species activity. This project demonstrates how participating properties, native wildlife, livestock, and the wider community can benefit from long term integrated pest management programs. It also demonstrates the importance to conduct long-term monitoring to evaluate the progress and adapt to changing circumstances. The outcomes of this program can help inform future pest management approaches to peri-urban wild dogs by local governments and the community in similar environments but also highlight the potential downfall if robust management programs are not maintained or monitored. Effective management programs require collaboration, people power and long term continued commitment. A one-off response to any pest management issue will not make lasting impacts on environment, industry, or community.