Dingo scat containing bone (photo: Alana Kippers)

Stage III of the dingo population study started in September with QPWS staff collecting dingo scats. The first formal collection was conducted from 21 – 24 November 2011 with the Conservation Volunteers Australia Nature Wise Program.

The program consisted of eight paying volunteers working alongside FIA and FINIA member Bree Jashin, a program leader, Jono Bateman and Queensland Manager of CVA and FINIA member, Mark Dwyer. The group were lead by QPWS Dingo Rangers, assisting in locating, collecting and educating the group on dingoes, dingo research and Fraser Island.

Collection bag
(photo: Alana Kippers

The collection was conducted in various locations over the Island, ranging from inland firebreaks to beach zones and dunes. The group collected an amazing 52 scats over the three mornings of collection. The study is continuing with rangers collecting scats on their daily travels, with over 100 scats already collected Island wide.

The first Nature Wise program on Fraser Island was such a success that another program has been advertised for 2012. Analysis of the dingo scats already collected is scheduled to start in the near future.