LANDHOLDERS, researchers, veterinarians, and government gathered in Canberra in mid-November for the first national Livestock Guardian Animal Forum, to explore the role of guardian animals in managing the impacts of wild dogs and dingoes across Australia.

Hosted by the National Wild Dog Action Plan with funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Parks ACT, the Forum provided a platform for sharing knowledge and insights on the practical application of livestock guardian animals across a range of grazing environments, production systems, and landscapes, with the aim of enhancing livestock protection and biodiversity.

Greg Mifsud, National Wild Dog Management Coordinator from the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, praised the event as an important opportunity to bring together diverse perspectives on the use of guardian animals, such as Maremma dogs and donkeys, in managing wild dog and dingo impacts.

“This forum has been an invaluable opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences, and expertise in the use of guardian animals, as a tool to manage the effects of wild dog and dingo populations,” said Mr Mifsud.

“It was interesting to hear how different producers had varying levels of success with guardian animals and the many factors that can impact their effectiveness.

"A key takeaway for me was that guardian animals are not a panacea, with landholders reporting that they lost livestock even in the presence of guardian animals. "However, when implemented as part of an integrated wild dog and dingo control program, they were very effective at reducing those impacts.”

The forum was delivered to investigate the applicability and effectiveness of guardian dogs and other animals to protect livestock from wild dog and dingo attack across Australia’s diverse agricultural grazing and production systems.

It also explored what factors need to be in place to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of livestock guardian animals.

Erin Williams, founder, Livestock Guardian Dogs Australia, was struck by the collaborative and open-minded approach of the delegates.

“I felt that this forum was groundbreaking in bringing esteemed stakeholders together for the first time, despite their differing views and approaches,” said Ms Williams.

“One of my key takeaways was that we need to provide robust science-based best practice education in how to use livestock guardian animals effectively to prevent the continued dissemination of misinformation, and to prevent failures.

“I also found that if we work together with what we all bring to the table, we have the potential for effective control options to suit each individual producer or region.”

Julie Brown, a livestock producer and vet, who uses guardian dogs on her family’s property, agreed that the collaboration at the forum was a highlight.

“It was great to work with other livestock producers, members of government and researchers who work in predator management and compare experiences and ideas,” said Dr Brown.

“For me, the event reiterated that there is no silver bullet to predator control, especially in extensive grazing situations when properties are large, and livestock are spread out.

"Livestock guardian animals are incredibly effective when they are implemented well and when predator pressure does not exceed their capabilities.

"They are best used in combination with other tools, namely fencing and lethal predator management, which keep predator populations under control.

“Knowledge and support are also required to effectively implement livestock guardian animals - there must be information and resources available for producers to reduce the failure rate of using livestock guardian dogs.”

Outcomes from the forum will inform the national approach to the use of livestock guardian animals as a tool to manage wild dog and dingo impacts.