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https://theconversation.com/dingoes-are-not-mating-with-dogs-but-that-could-soon-change-if-the-culling-continues-241350>
"The dingo was completely isolated from other canines on the Australian
mainland for more than 5,000 years, until domestic dogs arrived on the scene.
Subsequent concerns about livestock loss formed the basis of Australia’s “wild
dog” (dingo) pest control programs, which continue today. Stretching 5,614km
across Australia, the “dingo fence” or “dog fence” was built in the 1880s to
keep dingoes away from livestock in the southeast.
Dingoes are protected as a threatened species in Victoria. But dingo–dog
hybrids are considered pests, and therefore allowed to be killed.
Unfortunately, past research claimed to find evidence dingo-dog hybrids are
common in the wild across eastern Australia. This research has been used to
defend the trapping, poisoning and shooting of these animals in some parts of
Australia, particularly Victoria.
But other studies and now our new genetic research show dingoes are not
breeding with domestic dogs in the wild. Rather, they are maintaining their
independence as a unique evolutionary branch.
Our research also highlights the precarious state of dingo populations in
Victoria. We fear dingo genetic diversity will continue to decline as long as
lethal control measures are used. Ironically, this could prompt dingoes to mate
with dogs to survive."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
