URGENT UPDATE: The dingo population in Australia’s capital is rapidly declining, with experts warning that they may be on a dangerous path towards extinction. Recent estimates indicate that as few as 49 dingoes remain in the 106,095-hectare Namadgi National Park, raising alarms among wildlife researchers and conservationists.
Leading ecologist Professor Euan Ritchie from Deakin University emphasizes the critical nature of this situation, stating that the ongoing culling of dingoes—where 39 were killed in the 2024/25 financial year and another 48 the previous year—could have dire consequences for the species. “This rate of mortality is astronomically high and diabolical for their ongoing survival,” he warned.
The ACT Government has been actively trapping and shooting dingoes to prevent attacks on domestic livestock, yet the true population numbers remain elusive. An ongoing camera survey from November 2024 to May 2025 revealed a shocking shortage of these apex predators, which play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling populations of invasive species.
In a shocking revelation, a genetic analysis found that most dingoes in the region are purebred, prompting the ACT Government to shift their status from that of a pest species to a controlled native animal. However, this change comes amid a backdrop of controversy, including illegal use of soft-jaw traps that have raised significant welfare concerns. The RSPCA Australia has condemned these practices, asserting that trapping inflicts “pain and anxiety,” often resulting in prolonged suffering for the animals.
In an effort to better understand the dingo population dynamics, James Vandersteen, a PhD student at the University of NSW, is spearheading a new study. His early findings indicate that dingoes are predominantly located in the low-lying grassland valleys, with at least 40 individuals estimated in the Boboyan Valley alone. However, many areas remain under-surveyed, leaving the overall population size uncertain.
As local authorities draft a new Dingo Controlled Native Species Management Plan, experts like Ritchie are calling for a cautious approach to avoid repeating the mistakes seen in Victoria, where aggressive culling has led to a drastic decline in dingo numbers. He stresses, “Until a robust population estimate is available, it is simply not possible to reliably know the true impact of government dingo culling programs.”
The implications of this situation extend beyond the dingoes themselves. Their role as apex predators is crucial in controlling populations of kangaroos and suppressing invasive foxes and cats, which threaten native wildlife. The potential extinction of dingoes could disrupt the entire ecosystem.
As the ACT Government navigates this sensitive issue, the urgent plea from experts is clear: immediate action is necessary to protect this unique Australian species. The world watches as the fate of the dingo hangs in the balance—will authorities choose conservation over culling?
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
