Famous or infamous?  Villain or victim?  Controversy has surrounded the Dingo in Australia but new research suggests that this iconic predator could be an ecological saviour and help to restore the natural order of the Australian bush.

Related to the Indian Wolf, the Dingo has become genetically distinct through isolation after its arrival on the Australian mainland around 5,000 years ago.

Unlike domestic dogs, dingoes only breed once a year. Social hierarchy within a dingo pack dictates that only the leaders breed. All members of the pack help to rear the pups.

Instead of barking, dingoes howl to let neighboring dingoes know where their territorial boundaries are. In a dingo chorus each dingo howls at a different frequency and pattern. This tells other dingoes who and how many are in the pack.

One of the greatest threats to the dingo is interbreeding with domestic and wild dogs.

The Dingo was listed as a threatened species in Victoria in 2008, raising its status from an often perceived vermin to a native Australian - a long and hard won battle for one of the few top order predators left in the Australian environment.     

Did You Know?

•  DNA, legend and archaeological evidence now tell us that the Dingo arrived in Australia by boat with South Asian seafarers around 5,000 years ago, not with Aborigines by land bridge 40,000 years ago.
• Dingoes are naturally shy with a wild and independent nature, behaving more like cats than domestic dogs.
• Dingoes are extremely flexible and are great escape artists.
• Not all dingoes are ginger-yellow. Some are white or black and tan.

Our Dingos

Kuma
An enthusiastic food-a-holic who loves posing for photos, if there are treats involved. Brother of Manuka.

Manuka
A quick leaner who enjoys her training sessions, although she weighs up all her options before making a decision. Competes with her brother Kuma.

Ernie
A real softy who easily wins hearts, he is cautious and will not be rushed. Born at Healesville Sanctuary, one of Opal and Harry's pups and brother of Mac.

Macreadie
Another of Opal and Harry's pups, named after one of our keepers. She enjoys walks and getting attention, particularly a massage.

Harry
Sadly Harry passed away on 8th March 2010.
He was a gentle, dear, old man who loved an ear rub from his keepers. He enjoyed his walks, rushing ahead and did not like standing still.

Opal
A gentle and calm matriarch - a real angel. She strolls quietly on her walks and is patient, although she told Harry when she had had enough of his antics.
Opal is coping well since the recent loss of her life-long den friend Harry.