Historical assessment of dingo occurrence in a semi-arid pastoral region of Western Australia

Context Documenting change in wildlife occurrence is important for understanding how ecosystems change over time and for guiding potential management options. Aims We provide a historical overview of dingo occurrence in a pastoral region in Western Australia, where dingoes have been subject to variable levels of lethal control. Methods We took a mixed-method approach, comprising collation of non-digital and digital historical records, and 11 semi-structured interviews. Interview participants had detailed local knowledge and combined experience on pastoral stations across 3 million ha, or ~60% of the study region. We used thematic analysis to develop themes associated with changes in dingo occurrence and management over time. We also noted mentions of the presence and management of other species in records, and interactions with dingoes where relevant. Key results Our findings suggest that dingoes were widespread until the mid-twentieth century but then declined, potentially to the point of extirpation in the region, until around year 2000. Conclusions High community priority to eradicate dingoes for the protection of small livestock, effective control measures, and economic factors in the wool industry explain successful dingo control in the last half of the 20th century. Re-establishment of dingoes post-2000 coincided with a local transition from predominantly sheep to cattle grazing, a shift that has occurred elsewhere in Australia. Implications Our findings link historical changes in ecosystem composition with dingo removal and re-establishment. Quantifying the ecological effects of dingoes and the impacts of dingoes on livestock production should inform modern predator management in pastoral landscapes.