Wild dogs in NSW have been fitted with GPS collars, as part of a $1.33 million project to determine the most effective strategies for controlling wild dogs and foxes.

 

Thirty-nine dogs in the Walcha, Macleay and Hastings areas have been given the collars, allowing researchers to track exactly where the dogs travel and which poisoned baits they take.

 

The program will measure the effectiveness of using the poison 1080 in baits at rates of 10 and 40 baits per kilometre. To better judge effectiveness, the collars are equipped with a mortality sensor that tells the researcher if the dog is alive or not.

 

“We’re committed to reducing the cost of wild dogs to agriculture, the environment, economy and the whole community by ensuring the best management strategies in place,” NSW Primary Industries Minister, Katrina Hodgkinson said.

 

NSW grazier Brian Tomalin said the project would help reduce the damage caused by wild dogs, which costs the state $16m annually.

 

“This project gives us more tools to work with to help reduce the costs of damage,” Mr Tomalin said.

 

“The more knowledge we have the better control we can have.”