Dingoes in the Great Sandy Desert: Unlikely Heroes in the Fight Against Feral Cats

A groundbreaking research project in Western Australia's Great Sandy Desert has found that dingoes play a crucial role in protecting native wildlife by preying on feral cats. The study, conducted by the Nyangumarta Rangers in partnership with a leading university, has revealed that dingoes are a vital component in maintaining the balance of the desert ecosystem.

Djinaparli, a 68-year-old Mangala woman, has a deep connection with dingoes, having grown up with them in the Great Sandy Desert. She recalled how her family trained dingoes as hunting dogs and considered them part of their family. "We had them since they were little puppies, and we grew them up; they slept with us," Djinaparli said, speaking Mangala, with translation from Nyangumarta Ranger Lisa Toby.

Protecting Native Wildlife

The Nyangumarta Rangers commissioned the Wartaji research project to understand the role of dingoes in the desert ecosystem. The project involves tracking dingoes, monitoring their diet, and studying their interactions with feral cats and foxes. The research has shown that dingoes are a significant predator of feral cats, with camera footage capturing dingoes hunting and eating them.

Nyangumarta ranger Roberta Hunter explained that the motion-activated cameras track dingoes, which have been recorded eating feral cats. "It's good when the dingoes eat cats, because they are killing our precious animals, like the Greater Bilby and desert mouse," Ms Hunter said.

According to the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, a single feral cat roaming in the desert kills more than 700 small animals per year. Nyangumarta ranger Elliot Hunter noted that the feral cats in the Great Sandy Desert are growing much larger than usual, with some reaching six kilograms, compared to the average domestic cat weight of four kilograms.

Dingo Diet and Movement

The project's scat research over the last six months shows that dingoes now get nearly 30 per cent of their diet from feral cats. Lead researcher Linda Harper said that the dingoes' diet consists mainly of small mammals, birds, and reptiles. The research team is also tracking the movement of four dingoes using satellite collars, with preliminary findings indicating that they travel significant distances in search of food and water.

Nathan Hunter, a Nyangumarta ranger, emphasized the importance of the research, saying, "Looking after these dingoes, it's a special connection to our old people." The project aims to continue monitoring the dingoes' movement and diet to better understand their role in maintaining the balance of the desert ecosystem.