{"id":15805,"date":"2026-05-21T10:28:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T10:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/15805\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T10:28:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T10:28:14","slug":"aussies-called-to-action-over-future-of-iconic-animal-in-national-parks-most-people-dont-realise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/15805\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussies called to action over future of iconic animal in national parks: ‘Most people don’t realise’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia has routinely shot, trapped, and poisoned<\/a> one of its most important native predators because it\u2019s known to sometimes kill sheep.<\/p>\n

Now, NSW has launched a parliamentary inquiry into two key issues that have been routinely overlooked when it comes to dingoes living in national parks:<\/a><\/p>\n

Research from the University of NSW<\/a> and Adelaide University<\/a> has consistently demonstrated that most animals referred to as \u201cwild dogs\u201d by state governments are actually dingoes.<\/p>\n

This means even those with black, white or brown markings<\/a> have a high percentage of dingo DNA.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Dingos can have black, white or brown markings, or a mixture of all three.<\/p>\n

(Credit: Ian Brown\/Michelle J Photography)<\/p>\n

The inquiry will be chaired by Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst<\/a>, who said it \u201cprovides an opportunity to consider how they are classified, managed and conserved in national parks\u201d.<\/p>\n

Members of the public, interested stakeholders, First Nations groups, government bodies, and community organisations are invited to provide submissions to the inquiry via this link.<\/a><\/p>\n

Are dingoes actually native?<\/p>\n

Some have argued that the dingo should not be considered a true native species because it is believed to have migrated from Papua New Guinea around 3,500 to 5,000 years ago.<\/a><\/p>\n

But when we consider this in historical terms, even the lower end is a very long time ago.<\/p>\n

During this period, Europe was experiencing the late Bronze Age, Egypt\u2019s New Kingdom was flourishing, and the beginnings of Christianity were still 1,500 years away.<\/p>\n

\"Dingoes<\/p>\n

A NSW inquiry will examine how dingoes in the state’s national parks are classified and managed.<\/p>\n

(Michelle J Photography\/Ian Brown)Dingoes regarded as \u2018pests\u2019 by authorities<\/p>\n

Dingoes played an important cultural role in many First Nations societies, but following the arrival of British settlers, the species was wiped out from much of Australia and declared a pest.<\/p>\n

RELATED<\/p>\n

The species was treated similarly to wolves, which were exterminated across Britain, Japan, and Mexico, and only occupies 6 to 10 per cent of their historical range in the United States.<\/p>\n

Few remain in Victoria<\/a> and the ACT<\/a>, and South Australia continues to work towards eradication on the southern side of its controversial \u201cwild dog\u201d fence.<\/a><\/p>\n

Today, property owners are required to cull them in parts of South Australia, Queensland and NSW.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Dingoes can present in multiple colours.<\/p>\n

(Getty)<\/p>\n

And they\u2019re routinely killed by state governments inside the borders of national parks to prevent them from spreading onto private land.<\/p>\n

Over in Adelaide, the zoo is required by the government<\/a> to inform visitors viewing the dingo exhibit that they\u2019re a \u201cpest\u201d.<\/p>\n

The issue dingo advocates want \u2018put to bed\u2019<\/p>\n

Alix Livingstone, the founding director of the animal advocacy group Defend the Wild,<\/a> said the myth that dingoes are wild dogs is dominant.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost people don’t realise that we’re actually controlling dingoes across our national parks,\u201d she told Yahoo News.<\/p>\n

She hopes the new inquiry will ensure the expertise of cultural custodians, scientists, and conservationists is heard.<\/p>\n

\u201cDingoes are managed under the misnomer of wild dogs\u2026 and we want to see that issue raised and put to bed as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A sign at Adelaide Zoo, which has been mandated by the government, declares dingoes a “pest”.<\/p>\n

(Zoos SA)<\/p>\n

Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International) said the inquiry was a \u201cmilestone in the effort to end the persecution of the species\u201d.<\/p>\n

Its program director, Dr Renae Charalambous, believes it could \u201cturn the tide on the state\u2019s relationship\u201d with the species, which she characterised as unnecessarily \u201ccruel\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor too long, dingoes have been trapped, poisoned, shot and otherwise vilified under a false \u2018wild dog\u2019 moniker or at the hands of industry lobbying,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time we saw justice for this iconic Australian species and ensured its safe future in national parks and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do you have a story? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n