Fig. 5.9.

The Dingo (Canis dingo). Scientists dispute whether this species should be considered introduced or native to Australia. Dingoes apparently arrived on Australian shores ∼4000 years ago. To humans, they are always controversial and, although typically shy, have caused numerous fatalities. Most memorably, they were at the centre of the mystery surrounding the death of baby Azaria Chamberlain in central Australia in 1980. Yet their reintroduction into parts of southern Australia has recently been heralded by some as a way to arrest the continuing decline of Australia’s native mammals. Species under threat unfortunately include an array of carnivorous marsupials, which appear to be at the mercy of middle-size predators such as foxes and cats – efficient killers introduced to Australia with European settlement. Dingoes plausibly kill or compete with the smaller cats and foxes, keeping their numbers in check and reducing their devastating effect on Australia’s native marsupials. Source: Andrew Baker.