Cairns Dingoes.
(Dingoes often leave a single set of prints opposed to a domestic dog that will leave messy scattered tracks of 4 prints. Photo taken in the Cairns region)
Dingoes are not unexpected in the Cairns region. They can be spotted morning/dusk in areas like Mount Sheridan, Trinity Beach, Palm cove and edmonton to name a few. Dingoes in the North and Far north account for zero fatalities on humans & zero attacks. Attacks on dogs very rare. There are signs. These are not perm. Dingoes here are much smaller than the Dingoes found on K'gari and belong to a different ecotype.
Dingoes are not full carnivores and enjoy a variety of foods from rainforest fruits and vegetables to insects.
Dingoes in the Cairns region are commonly Tan, Black and tan and or sable.
Recent polling in the Northern beaches of Cairns.
Why are they at risk of being culled?
When they are reported this often leads to the dingo being put to sleep under the wild dog act. Dingoes are naturally shy but curious animals. This behaviour can sometimes be misread. Stray domestic dogs are much more dangerous and unpredictable. Domestic dog attacks/maulings on wallabies are a somewhat of a regular occurance in the Cairns region.
Young sable dingo
Why are we seeing them so often?
Most people are armed with a camera phone now days. That and alot of their lowland coastal habitat has been destroyed to make room for new housing estates and shops. Does this mean we are seeing more? No, it only means they have nowhere to go.