Published Thursday, 13 August, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
A new direction for wild dog coordination
13 august 2009
A new direction for wild dog coordination
A Wild Dog Advisory Committee is being established to bring together the key stakeholders and oversee the implementation of the wild dog strategy in Queensland.
Taking a lead in Queensland livestock predator management is newly appointed wild dog coordinator John Cuskelly.
This is an action arising from the independent wild dog management review undertaken by former AgForce president Peter Kenny and instigated by Premier Anna Bligh.
"This is not going to be an easy, but through good communication and working with industry and local producers improved outcomes will be delivered," said the Premier.
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said Mr Cuskelly brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the wild dog committee.
“For more than 20 years, he worked for Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries as a biosecurity inspector in Gympie, Toowoomba and as a principal inspector in Longreach,” the Minister said.
“He has also worked throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory in various roles, including biosecurity, education and grazing.
“His most recent position was as the Australian Agricultural College Corporation’s (AACC) commercial training co-ordinator in Dalby.
“Mr Cuskelly will work with the committee to coordinate the statewide effort on wild dog control with land owners, natural resource management groups and local governments.”
Mr Cuskelly said managing the wild dog issue requires a strong commitment from local government, industry, landholders and the community.
“I’ll work with landholders, local government and stakeholder groups to implement a strategic plan in dealing with the wild dog problem,” he said.
“Wild dogs don’t just affect individual properties, they affect communities across Queensland.
“I’ll ensure landholders have access to the latest research and control methods and that rural communities understand the best outcomes will be delivered by a coordinated approach.”
Mr Mulherin said Biosecurity Queensland already spends $1.75 million a year on the wild dog control, including management of the Wild Dog Barrier Fence and research into wild dogs.
"Our researchers tracked almost 50 wild dogs, using sophisticated GPS satellite technology, for up to 10 months to gain new insights into how far they disperse from where they were born," he said.
"Wild dogs can travel extraordinary distances in a short period of time, up to 1300km within weeks.
"The research suggested the timing and frequency of baiting needed to be reviewed.
"The most obvious problem for primary producers is how to protect livestock from wild dogs when they travel hundreds of kilometres.
“Wild dogs are likely to be several properties away before stock losses are noticed and control methods can begin."
The Minister said landowners have long been advised to coordinate their baiting efforts during the mating period from April to June, when wild dogs appear more active and are more visible.
"However, research indicates they travel just as far during other times of the year," he said.
"Baiting may be more effective when the juvenile dogs begin to leave their pack in search of their own territory, from November to May.
"QPIF researchers also believe follow-up baiting programs a couple of weeks apart during summer may be more beneficial than baiting once or twice each year.
"Research like this is critical to improving methods of wild dog control."
Media: Mark Symons 3239 6530
A new direction for wild dog coordination
A Wild Dog Advisory Committee is being established to bring together the key stakeholders and oversee the implementation of the wild dog strategy in Queensland.
Taking a lead in Queensland livestock predator management is newly appointed wild dog coordinator John Cuskelly.
This is an action arising from the independent wild dog management review undertaken by former AgForce president Peter Kenny and instigated by Premier Anna Bligh.
"This is not going to be an easy, but through good communication and working with industry and local producers improved outcomes will be delivered," said the Premier.
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said Mr Cuskelly brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the wild dog committee.
“For more than 20 years, he worked for Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries as a biosecurity inspector in Gympie, Toowoomba and as a principal inspector in Longreach,” the Minister said.
“He has also worked throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory in various roles, including biosecurity, education and grazing.
“His most recent position was as the Australian Agricultural College Corporation’s (AACC) commercial training co-ordinator in Dalby.
“Mr Cuskelly will work with the committee to coordinate the statewide effort on wild dog control with land owners, natural resource management groups and local governments.”
Mr Cuskelly said managing the wild dog issue requires a strong commitment from local government, industry, landholders and the community.
“I’ll work with landholders, local government and stakeholder groups to implement a strategic plan in dealing with the wild dog problem,” he said.
“Wild dogs don’t just affect individual properties, they affect communities across Queensland.
“I’ll ensure landholders have access to the latest research and control methods and that rural communities understand the best outcomes will be delivered by a coordinated approach.”
Mr Mulherin said Biosecurity Queensland already spends $1.75 million a year on the wild dog control, including management of the Wild Dog Barrier Fence and research into wild dogs.
"Our researchers tracked almost 50 wild dogs, using sophisticated GPS satellite technology, for up to 10 months to gain new insights into how far they disperse from where they were born," he said.
"Wild dogs can travel extraordinary distances in a short period of time, up to 1300km within weeks.
"The research suggested the timing and frequency of baiting needed to be reviewed.
"The most obvious problem for primary producers is how to protect livestock from wild dogs when they travel hundreds of kilometres.
“Wild dogs are likely to be several properties away before stock losses are noticed and control methods can begin."
The Minister said landowners have long been advised to coordinate their baiting efforts during the mating period from April to June, when wild dogs appear more active and are more visible.
"However, research indicates they travel just as far during other times of the year," he said.
"Baiting may be more effective when the juvenile dogs begin to leave their pack in search of their own territory, from November to May.
"QPIF researchers also believe follow-up baiting programs a couple of weeks apart during summer may be more beneficial than baiting once or twice each year.
"Research like this is critical to improving methods of wild dog control."
Media: Mark Symons 3239 6530