General News
6 March, 2025
Dingo hysteria sparks fear
Hysteria surrounding caged dingoes found in the Little Desert National Park has fuelled fear and hostility, according to Founder of Big Desert Dingo Research, Ellisha Martion.
Ms Martion's comments came after angst from farmers about land management and the safety of their sheep after the bushfire in the Little Desert National Park revealed captive dingoes being held in the reserve.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence confirmed the breeding facility, saying the enclosure at the Little Desert Nature Lodge held 11 dingoes.
"Yes, I was aware that the dingoes were being kept legally under a license privately at the Little Desert Nature Lodge," Ms Martion told Wimmera Mallee News.
"It’s important to note the Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence, has publicly clarified she understood these dingoes to be domesticated animals with no intention of releasing them into the wild.
"Furthermore, at no time were any dingoes loose in the park, and all have been accounted for."
Ms Martion said the hysteria surrounding the animals was sparked by rumors not substantiated.
"One incident involved a CFA volunteer filming the captive dingoes on private property, without permission, shortly after they had endured a highly traumatic bushfire," she said.
"Another case involved a farmer submitting video footage of a fox to the media, falsely presenting it as a wild dingo in Little Desert National Park.
"These actions have fuelled unnecessary fear and hostility, not only towards the local wild dingo population in the nearby Big Desert but also towards dingo caretakers, captive dingoes, and advocates within the community."
The CFA was contacted for comment with a media representative making the following statement:
"CFA would like to clarify that the photographer in this instance was not on duty or involved in any operational capacity during the Little Desert Bushfire.
"CFA's policy is that CFA members must not record or distribute information for private use outside their role as a CFA member."