2025–26 dingo predation management zone work plans
Wild dog management zone (WDMZ) work plans are developed annually by the community, industry and government. They create a shared understanding that helps stakeholders to work effectively together to reduce the impacts of wild dogs using all available tools.
Vertebrate Species Management
The Vertebrate Species Management Program (VSMP) (formerly the Wild Dog Program) coordinates dingo predation and other vertebrate species management on public and private land. Dingo Predation Management Zone (DPMZ) work plans are reviewed annually by the community, industry and government. The work plans create a shared understanding that help stakeholders to work effectively together to reduce the impacts of vertebrate species using all available techniques.
A successful vertebrate species management program requires an integrated, strategic, and proactive approach. All land managers, community and government work together to protect livestock enterprises from the impacts of a range of vertebrate species through a cross-tenure approach. This plan is a result of community and government working together and aims at reducing the impact dingoes have on livestock.
What we do
We support coordinated strategic programs on public and private land to protect impacted landholders and neighbouring properties. When dingoes attack livestock and impact primary production, we provide direct support and assistance to producers in areas of highest priority. Other support includes advice regarding non-lethal options that can be implemented by the landholder.
Risks such as non-target species, proximity to high traffic areas, habitation, and public access will all be considered. Due to these risks it may not be possible to perform on-ground management works on public and/or private land in the local area.
Non-lethal management
We can provide advice on non-lethal management techniques which you can implement on your property to minimise the impact of dingoes.
Ground baiting
Targeted ground baiting is a proactive tool that supports individuals and communities experiencing livestock losses due to dingoes. Targeted ground baiting is undertaken on public land. The attached map shows where targeted ground baiting will occur between 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Targeted ground baiting transects will be baited at least once throughout this period. Adjoining landowners will be notified and warning signs put in place prior to baits being laid.
Trapping
We will provide reactive trapping services to support individuals and communities experiencing livestock losses and other negative impacts due to dingoes. This could include attacks or threatening behaviour towards domestic animals and pets. The attached map shows where trapping can be undertaken on public land from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Trapping can also be undertaken on private land. Warning signs are put in place when trapping is being undertaken.
Shooting
We will use shooting to manage the impacts of dingo predation to support baiting and trapping activities, or where appropriate, in areas where baiting and trapping cannot be implemented.
What you can do on your property
There are a variety of lethal and non-lethal dingo predation management techniques that may be available to landowners, including:
- Exclusion fencing
- Livestock guardian animals
- Property hygiene
- Livestock management
- Trapping
- Shooting
- Ground baiting with 1080 or PAPP bait products (requires accreditation).
Landholders must consider the risks and benefits of each management technique as it applies to their situation.
Community groups
Community programs, supported by the Community Vertebrate Species Management Coordinator (CVSMC), involve groups of private landowners in a local area taking part in coordinated dingo and/or feral pig management on private land.
Coordinated management programs provide the opportunity to maximise the benefits of integrated efforts conducted by private landowners. This will complement the works of DEECA and other agencies for effective long-term management.
Participants in community management programs can learn from one another which techniques work best in their local area. They benefit from organised demonstrations and field days which include non-lethal control methods such as exclusion fencing and use of guardian animals.
For more information on how to become involved in a community dingo or feral pig management program, contact your CVSMC.
Mick Freeman, DEECA
Phone: 0429 079 131
Email: michael.freeman@deeca.vic.gov.au
Report Dingo Predation Incidents
We recognise the effects on health and wellbeing of people impacted by dingo attacks, therefore incident reports involving stock killed or maimed will be given priority over dingoes reported as seen or heard. Dependant on the demand for services of the Vertebrate Species Management Officer (VSMO) seen and heard incident reports may not receive an on-ground response. However, the details of all incident reports are recorded and used for intelligence gathering to inform management activities.
Landholders who observe dingo activity or experience a dingo attack must phone their VSMO as soon as possible after an incident to formally lodge an incident report. The incident will be triaged by the VSMO based on other incident reports within the management zone.
Senior Vertebrate Species Management Officer | Localities covered by Senior Vertebrate Management Officer | Contact number |
|---|---|---|
Kyle Small | Biggara, Burrowye, Corryong, Cudgewa, Granya, Gundowring, Koetong, Lucyvale, Mitta Mitta Valley, Mount Alfred, Nariel, Sandy Creek, Shelley, Tallangatta, Tallangatta Valley, Tintaldra, Walwa | |
David Klippel | Alexandra, Jamieson, Mansfield, Merrijig, Molesworth, Ovens, Whitfield, Yea | |
Anthony Websdale | Bairnsdale, Benambra, Buchan, Dargo, Ensay, Gelantipy, Omeo, Swifts Creek | |
Dwayne Needham | Bendoc, Bonang, , Cann River, Deddick, Erica, Gembrook, Heyfield, Licola, Maffra, Noojee, Orbost, Tubbut |
Report any issues in relation to domestic dogs to your local council office.
Dingo Predation Management Service Agreement to Community
The VSMP’s response process for killed, maimed or harassed livestock, or where pets are attacked or people feel threatened by dingoes, includes:
- A VSMO contacting the landholder within 24 business hours.
- Verification of stock death due to dingo attack within 72 hours (i.e. not fox or domestic dogs) and dingo activity where current work demands allow.
- Contact with local shire Ranger if the incident is believed to be domestic dog related.
- Provide advice to landholders on immediate actions they can take on-farm to reduce future impacts and risk.
- Provide advice to bushwalkers and other public land users who are concerned about dingo activity.
- Assessment of current dingo predation management in the area on both public and private land and modify if required.
- Consider potential human and non-target species risks that may impact on the VSMOs ability to manage dingoes safely and effectively before implementing control actions using reactive tools and techniques.
A risk assessment is undertaken for each incident report and as a result, it may not be possible to perform on-ground management works on public and/or private land in the area.
Reactive dingo predation management services may be withdrawn within 30 days of a livestock attack. However, the provision of advice and works in the surrounding region may continue.
Dingo predation management zone work plan documents and maps
Individual dingo predation management zone work plan documents and maps for each of the 15 dingo predation management zones are linked below:
- Alexandra Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Bonang, Bendoc, Tubbut and Deddick Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Buchan and Gelantipy Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Burrowye, Granya and Walwa Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Corryong Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Dargo and Bairnsdale Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Gembrook, Noojee and Erica Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Licola, Heyfield and Maffra Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Mansfield Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Mitta Mitta and Sandy Creek Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Omeo, Swifts Creek and Benambra Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Orbost and Cann River Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Ovens Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Tallangatta Dingo Predation Management Zone
- Whitfield Dingo Predation Management Zone
How you can contribute to future plans
Vertebrate species community workshops are held annually in March and April across dingo affected communities. The discussions from these meetings help to inform how dingo predation management takes place within each DPMZ on both private and public land.
If you are interested in being involved in the next round of community meetings go to Livestock predation management (Agriculture Victoria). Details about the community workshops will be available around February or March. Alternatively, subscribe to receive our Taking Control newsletter (details below) and the workshop dates and times will be emailed directly to you.
Further information
For further information contact us via:
- A Senior Vertebrate Species Management Officer (details above)
- A Community Vertebrate Species Management Coordinator (details above)
- Email at vertebratespeciesmanagement@deeca.vic.gov.au
Taking control newsletter registration
Taking Control is a vertebrate species newsletter which has stories, strategies, and links to successful management approaches on both private and public land.