Sunshine Coast Council’s program will protect vulnerable species
By Kirra Livingstone
THE Sunshine Coast Council’s 2024 Spring wild dog baiting program will kick off on September 17 in partnership with Biosecurity Queensland. This program has been running for more than 20 years in the region, aiming to protect native animals, livestock and domestic pets from wild dogs.
There has been 58 reports of wild dogs to date in the Sunshine Coast this year, compared to 68 for the same period last year. A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said they have a range of strategies to control wild dog numbers in the region, such as monitored soft -catch foothold trapping. But in this program, the council will specifically be using baiting practices.
“The baits used are 250g pieces of meat with a prescribed dosage of 1080 (Sodium Flouroacetate). “These baits are buried and tied down to the site to target wild dog specific behaviour while ensuring the bait is not moved.” To ensure domestic dogs do not eat the baits, baiting will not occur in towns, surburban areas, public parks, streets, roadsides or near waterways. “Control activities are undertaken only in select national parks and on approved private properties where landholders have registered to the program,” the spokesperson said.
“All private properties participating in the program will have warning signs at entrances.” The Wild Dog Baiting Program will be held throughout Bald Knob, Beerburrum, Beerwah, Conondale, Kenilworth, Obi Obi, Peachester, Reesville and Witta areas. The program will conclude October 15