US bear researcher sees similarities in Fraser Island dingo management
An American bear researcher says dingo management practices on Fraser Island are similar to those used for wildlife in Yellowstone National Park.
Dr Hank Harlow from the University of Wyoming has worked with bears and wolves in the Grand Tetons National Park in Greater Yellowstone for 20 years.
Dr Harlow visited Fraser Island yesterday to discuss methods of managing interactions between people and dingoes and he says many of the practices used are similar to those developed in the US.
He says unlike bears, convincing people to stay away from dingoes can be difficult.
"Grizzly bear, you know that thing has got mischief in mind, it can do some damage on you," he said.
"So I think that's what really makes the dingo-human interaction is that they're a carnivore, they're wild and sometimes they can be perceived because they look like your pet that they don't have that danger that's associated with their natural behaviour."
He says with more resources rangers could reach more people.
"My exchange has been that, 'oh geez, we're doing the same thing'. It's just that we've been doing it for a longer period of time in the Greater Yellowstone and we have more resources," he said.
"We have more people on the ground that can get this message across and so I think that's been the big lesson that we've exchanged.
"We're doing things right here on Fraser, it's just that we need more resources to increase the amplitude of that response."