National Parks and Wildlife Service will be baiting for wild dogs in Ngarkat CP in autumn 2024. To improve the efficacy of the wild dog baiting we will be targeting foxes in March just prior to the wild dog baiting.

Landholders can access free fox baits to put out along the boundary of their property adjoining Ngarkat CP.

Additional baits can be purchased at a discounted rate.

Once landholders have signed up to the Program, our staff will be in contact to discuss baiting requirements.

The goal is to control the fox population to ensure that wild dog baits remain available and are taken by wild dogs. Foxes are known to eat wild dog bait., Reducing their population prior to a wild dog baiting campaign ensures better control of wild dogs.

Landholders in the region play a significant role in supporting the success of controlling foxes and wild dogs, and therefore reducing the impact upon livestock welfare, agricultural productivity and native fauna.

Eradicating feral deer and controlling feral goats is best achieved when all landholders in the local area are involved and work together. We are seeking to increase participation in the aerial shooting operations and invite landholders surrounding the Ngarkat area to sign up their properties to be involved.

Involvement in aerial shooting operations is free and greatly improves the intensity and scale of eradication and supports landholders control efforts such a ground shooting.

A priority zone along the border of Ngarkat Conservation Park in the upper Limestone Coast has been identified to protect the park and high value agricultural areas.

The aerial culling will be coordinated by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board and National Parks and Wildlife Service (Murraylands). The organisations have allocated landscape levy and general revenue funds that will be used for aerial operations to reduce populations of feral goats and feral deer across the Billiatt and Ngarkat areas.

Further information about the aerial culling can be found under 'key resources'.

Landholders are encouraged to record wild dog sightings on the free app, WildDogScan. WildDogScan maps show all uploaded dog sightings in the area, helping neighbouring landholders to share information and collaborate for more effective control of wild dogs. The app allows you to upload all wild dog sightings including evidence of wild dog attacks, tracks and scats.

Recorded information is also important to inform collaborative approaches to control wild dogs among neighbouring landholders. Control activities can also be recorded on the app, helping to keep all landholders informed and as a way to assess the success of control strategies.

To use WildDogScan, search for FeralScan in your app store, Google Play or at feralscan.org.au. After you’ve registered as a user, you are invited to join the Box Flat Wild Dog Committee group and upload sightings for group members to see. Members of the group receive alert notifications via the app when wild dog activity is recorded within Ngarkat and surrounding areas.

Landholder obligations regarding wild dogs

Landholders are reminded of their obligations under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 and Declared animal policy - Wild dogs and dingoes to control wild dogs if sighted. Any land manager with wild dog activity and their adjoining neighbours must undertake the following measures:

a) Lay baits in a density that is equivalent to a minimum of one bait every 500 metres along stock pads and private tracks.

b) If wild dog activity is detected on the land after one month of baits being laid, the land manager and their neighbours must repeat the baiting, until evidence has not been reported for one month or employ the services of a professional trapper to destroy all wild dogs.