Dingo

Population

Population threats

One of the major threats to the dingo population is human persecution: in agricultural lands and pastures, these animals are frequently poisoned, trapped, and shot. Another serious threat is interbreeding between the dingo and the domestic dog. The urban development throughout coastal and outback areas of Australia promotes contacts between these two, leading to dilution and potential extinction of their gene pool. These animals are sold in food markets of some Asian countries, where their meat is an important source of protein for indigenous people. Also, in Indonesia and the Pacific islands, the canine of the dingo is used as a decoration.

Population number

Presently, the dingo is not included in the IUCN Red List and its conservation status has not been evaluated.

Ecological niche

This dog is the primary mammalian carnivore of Australia. Dingoes control populations of prey species such as the European rabbit, which is a pest throughout Australia. Dingoes compete with foxes and feral cats when preying on small animals. However, when hunting on large species during times of drought, they are more successful than foxes or feral cats. Due to this, their population is high, though they are responsible for the loss of many medium-sized Australian mammal species such as rat-kangaroos, bandicoots, and macropodids.