Dingos Forever
Conserving a misunderstood canid
The dingo (Canis familiaris dingo) is a feral dog found in Australia.
They like many canids have received much persecution due to preying on livestock. Their story is similar to what wolves went through in North America from European settlement until the mid 1900s.
Dingos are a vulnerable species according to IUCN and while there is some debate on their classification and status as an indigenous Australian species, there is one thing that cannot be debated. Australia has many invasive exotic animals that cause massive amounts of damage to native plants, wildlife and agriculture. These include but are not limited to rabbits, feral hogs and feral cats.
Dingos are the only native predator in Australia and we believe that unchecked shooting snaring and poisoning is detrimental not only to the species but the Australian wild. Dingos can help balance the landscape.
We are not animal rights activists opposed to all predator control. I work in the conservation world of hunting and fishing and live in a ranching area. Sometimes targeted predator control is necessary to help prey species with low populations in certain areas. And it is understandable for ranchers to defend livestock but it's not justifiable to eradicate all predators.
In Australia dingos are a far greater benefit to the wild than they are harm in any way. They are incredibly intelligent canines that deserve to exist and thrive in a country overran with exotics.
Dingos Forever is out reach to raise awareness to dingos, our family's favorite wild canid through our Bingo the Christmas Dingo book, video and presentations. After the Australian fires of 2020 we wanted to do more so we built this page . This is our little way of helping a big problem for a beautiful, fascinating wild canine.
In 2021 we expanded to raise awareness to the New Guinea singing dog as well as the beautiful African painted dog. We hope to inspire you to help these amazing animals.
Chester Moore
Kingdom Zoo Wildlife Center & Award-Winning Wildlife Journalist and Conservationist
The Colors of Dingos
Tan/Reddish
Black and Tan
Tan/Reddish
White
Black and Tan
Tan/Reddish
Black and Tan
Black and Tan
Black and Tan
Dingo Facts & Figures
Litter Size
Population Problems
Population Problems
Dingo moms typically have five babies although more have been recorded. Colors can vary in the litter and they are not independent until around eight months of age. Dingo babies are adorable.
Population Problems
Population Problems
Population Problems
Dingo numbers are decreasing and they are hybridizing with feral dogs. The yellow represents pure dingo distribution. There are only around 10,000 "pure" dingos by some estimates.
Map by Inugami-bargho.
A dingo Cousin
Population Problems
Do Dingos Attack?
The New Guinea Singing Dog is a very close kin of the dingo that lives in the nearby islands that make up New Guinea. These are rare creatures who get very little publicity so we thought we would give them a plug.
Do Dingos Attack?
Are They REally Poisoning THem?
Do Dingos Attack?
There are rare instances of dingo attacks on humans. Domestic dogs attack people far more than dingos and in fact there are more attacks by certain breeds annually in the U.S. than recorded dingo attacks in the last 100 years in Australia. All predators have the potential to attack which is why they should never be fed or approached.
Are They REally Poisoning THem?
Are They REally Poisoning THem?
Are They REally Poisoning THem?
Yes, poison is used to reduce dingo numbers. We oppose the use of poisons as a predator control. Other methods have a better record of getting specific livestock killers and do not kill mothers, babies and entire populations in regions.
Photo by Greg O'Beirne.
They Use Tools!
Are They REally Poisoning THem?
Are They REally Poisoning THem?
Dingos are incredibly smart canids and in fact have been documented using tools. Researchers at Melbourne's Dingo Discovery and Research Centre have published a paper about this finding. Dingos in captivity constantly impress keepers with acts as smart as the most intelligent dog breeds.
Hello
Support Australia's Dingos
We are not officially affiliated with them but we have begun supporting the Australian Dingo Foundation through small donations. Every bit helps. They do great work and are helping advance the cause of conservation of the dingo. Consider donating to this great cause.