Joint media release: Trappers to support pastoralists manage wild dogs

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt
South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven MLC

South Australian pastoralists inside the Dog Fence will continue to benefit from the services of wild dog trappers, with funding for the trapper program guaranteed for the next four years.

Around $2 million will be spent on the wild dog trapper program to July 2026. 

Funding has been contributed by the Commonwealth Government, Government of South Australia, the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board, Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board, Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, and Northern and Yorke Landscape Board as well as from Livestock SA’s Sheep Industry Fund. 

The wild dog trapping program is open to landowners or managers inside the Dog Fence who have baited and still experience impacts from wild dog attacks. In addition to trapping and removing wild dogs, the trappers also provide training to land managers to undertake trapping themselves.

The wild dog trappers work anywhere inside the Dog Fence in South Australia, except on Kangaroo Island where there are no wild dogs. 

Control of wild dogs is most effective when baiting, shooting, and trapping are used as part of an integrated control program. Trapping is particularly useful for targeting wild dogs that avoid baits.

The program is part of the Government of South Australia’s integrated wild dog management approach, which includes coordinated aerial and ground baiting programs and the $25 million rebuild of the SA Dog Fence.

To learn more about the wild dog trapping program, or to apply for the services of a trapper, visit https://pir.sa.gov.au/trappers 

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt:

Our partnership with the South Australian Government and the livestock industry in this strategic wild dog trapping program is a real boost to local farmers.

It adds another layer on top of our partnership with them which is rebuilding the South Australian Dog Fence. 

These programs are creating local jobs and securing the future of the livestock industry in South Australia.

Quotes attributable to South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven:

Wild dogs are a threat to South Australia’s sheep and cattle industries, which generated revenue of around $2.7 billion in 2020-21. 
Management of wild dogs is essential for the protection of our valuable livestock industries.

Conditions for sheep and cattle producers have been challenging over the past few years, with drought, floods, and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Government of South Australia and the Commonwealth Government are committed to supporting landowners impacted by wild dogs.

If you are a landowner inside the Dog Fence in need of help to manage wild dogs on your land, I encourage you to take advantage of the trapping program.