Dingo to remain a native species

Dingo to remain a native species as Western Australian Government abandons changes

Humane Society International has welcomed Western Australian Environment Minister Stephen Dawson's decision to abandon planned changes to the state'sBiodiversity Conservation Act that would have seen dingoes classified as 'non-native fauna'. The decision follows a campaign led by Humane Society International which saw thousands of concerned Australians calling on the Minister to reconsider the policy.

Earlier this year, the Western Australian Government declared that from January 2019 the dingo, Australia's native canine, would no longer be classified as native. However in correspondence received by Humane Society International this week, the Minister has confirmed that this declaration will no longer go ahead.

"Humane Society International is thrilled at Minister Dawson's commitment to retain the dingo's native status and recognition of the species' cultural and ecological significance. We give our sincere thanks for his reconsideration of what would have been a damaging move,” said Humane Society International's Head of Programs Evan Quartermain.

"The dingo is one of Australia's most iconic native animals, living and playing crucial ecosystem roles across Australia for several thousand years. However, under the changes proposed by the Western Australian Government, the dingo would have lost its status as native. This was more than a simple reclassification, and would have made it easier to persecute and kill dingoes in the wild.

"Whilst the Minister's move to retain the dingo's native status is certainly a step in the right direction, our only native canine continues to be persecuted throughout Australia. We will continue to work with the Western Australian Government, and others around the country, to ensure that the dingo is adequately recognised and protected,” concluded Mr Quartermain.

© Scoop Media