O'Neill et al Managing dingoes on Fraser Island

Abstract. Globally, the role of large predators is increasingly understood as essential for the restoration and maintenance

of ecosystems. Consequently, predator conservation represents a paradigm shift in ecological thinking, yet the

management of predators sets conflicting goals because of ongoing conflict with humans. This is exemplified on Fraser

Island where dingoes come into conflict with tourists, and dingoes perceived to be dangerous are regularly culled. It is

argued here that this new conservation paradigm premised on protecting predators in conjunction with conventional

wildlife management can result in predator populations being held in a perpetual state of social disorder, exacerbating

rather than alleviating conflict. We consider the intensity and frequency of lethal control and how this may impact upon

predator social structures, healthy ecological function, stable breeding patterns and stable territoriality. The direct effects

of management-induced psychological stress for the survivors of episodic culls are discussed, as well as the indirect flowon

effects of social dysfunction. A final consideration is the cyclical nature of lethal control, whereby conflict with humans

results in culling which, in turn, gives rise to further social disruption and conflict. In part, our assessment is derived from

official data collected in the course of the management of dingoes on Fraser Island. On this basis, and on the basis of the

international literature available, we offer new insights, which may inform predator management more broadly.