- Published:
- Wednesday 19 October 2016 at 9:00 am
Aerial baiting of wild dogs will commence today in hard to reach areas of Gippsland and North East Victoria.
Around 4,000 fresh meat baits will be dropped along 400km of public land in the Burrowa, Bullhead and Wabba areas of the North East and at Angora/Cobungra, Bindi and Wonangatta/Punchen Budweid areas in East Gippsland.
The Andrews Labor Government announced $6.2 million in funding over four years to support the ongoing management of foxes and wild dogs in the Victorian Budget 2016/17, including increasing aerial baiting for wild dogs to twice every year.
Aerial baiting is part of a coordinated effort to reduce the impact of wild dogs on livestock producers, complementing on the ground measures such as baiting, trapping, shooting and exclusion fencing.
Wild dogs create a significant challenge for land managers and are estimated to cost Victoria’s livestock industry $13–18 million per year.
Spring and autumn are the most effective times to target wild dogs as they are most active at these times. After this week, the next round of aerial baiting is scheduled for Autumn 2017.
Aerial baiting will take place in a 3km buffer zone on public land in areas selected through community consultation because of inaccessibility to conventional control methods, are known wild dog pathways and have proximity to private land where wild dog impacts have been reported.
More information on wild dog management and aerial baiting: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/wilddogs
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“We’re working with the farming communities most affected by wild dogs to ensure there is an integrated approach to managing this pest.”
“We’re getting on with managing and controlling wild dogs in Victoria – and we’re doubling the effort of the previous Liberal Government.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“Wild dogs cause significant and stressful livestock loss and damage for Gippsland's farmers. Including targeted aerial baiting as part of a coordinated approach is a key part of our ongoing work to manage this pest.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“The Wild Dog Management Program will continue to place local area planning, collaboration and integrated pest control at the centre of on-ground activities, supported by funded activities such as aerial baiting.”