Graziers report hundreds of lambs dead or missing in wild dog attacks
Western Queensland graziers say they have lost hundreds of sheep to suspected wild dog attacks as the national control programs face funding uncertainty.
Graziers in western Queensland are reporting significant losses due to wild dog attacks, with hundreds of lambs either dead or missing. The National Wild Dog Action Plan, which provides resources for controlling wild dogs, is facing funding uncertainty as its federal funding expires in October. Harrison Glasson, a grazier, discovered that 300 of his lambs were missing after shearing his flock.
Glasson has been protecting his 5,000-head flock from wild dogs for years, but says the recent attacks have become more difficult to manage due to damaged exclusion fences and other challenges. The sheep industry in Western Queensland collapsed due to wild dog attacks in the past decade. The Australian government estimates that wild dogs cost farming $302 million per year, primarily through stock losses.
Greg Mifsud, the National Wild Dog Management coordinator, emphasizes the importance of collective action in managing wild dogs, but notes that funding for the National Wild Dog Action Plan is set to expire in October. The National Farmers Federation has requested $250,000 in federal funding per year over five years to maintain the role.
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