Preliminary observations of dingo responses to assumed aversive stimuli

Abstract

Occasionally, interactions between dingoes (Canis dingo) and people on Fraser Island result in serious injury, and, in one case, death. The risk to human safety from such interactions may be mitigated if people could carry a suitably defensive repellent, similar in principle to bear (Ursus spp.) repellent spray advocated in North America. In the first step towards searching for suitable stimuli that might be used as repellents with dingoes, we observed the responses of nine dingoes to three stimuli during interactions with a researcher on Fraser Island. Two treatment stimuli were assumed to be potentially aversive (an air horn blast and a water jet from a motorised water pistol), and one was considered unlikely to be aversive and therefore suitable as a control (a whistle being blown). Responses to the stimuli varied. All nine dingoes were initially presented with the whistle; however, only one adult male responded as if the whistle was aversive. Seven of the nine dingoes were later presented with a whistle and treatment stimuli together. None of the seven dingoes were repelled during any air horn treatment trials; however, six of seven dingoes (all juveniles) were repelled by the water pistol stimulus. Although a water pistol was effective at repelling young dingoes on many occasions, responses between individuals were inconsistent. Results from this pilot study suggest that a water pistol stimulus may offer some protection as a repellent to close approaches by young dingoes, particularly if enhanced with a mild irritant.

Keep the wolf from the door: How to conserve wolves in Europe's human-dominated landscapes?

“…birds, Atkins et al, 2017), it is still rather unclear if it can be used effectively to solve human-carnivore conflicts (Fritts et al, 2003;Eklund et al, 2017;Linnell and Cretois, 2018). A range of methods has been tested on different carnivore species, including the use of repellents and deterrents (physical, chemical and acoustic stimuli or devices), e.g., to keep dingoes away from humans (Appleby et al, 2017a), the use of aversive conditioning techniques such as shock-collars (Hawley et al, 2009;Rossler et al, 2012) and treating bait with an emetic compound (Smith et al, 2000). However, most of these methods have shown mixed results (see Smith et al, 2000;Eklund et al, 2017;Du Plessis et al, 2018 for reviews).…”

Effectiveness of animal conditioning interventions in reducing human–wildlife conflict: a systematic map protocol

“…the co-authors) and later expanded (Prof. Colleen Cassady St. Clair and Rob Appleby B.Sc), comprising experts in behavioural ecology, animal cognition, wildlife conservation, wildlife management and specifically HWC. St. Clair and Appleby have also been directly involved in the design and application of animal conditioning to reduce HWC [59,60]. The Advisory Team includes, but is not restricted to, staff of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, the Institute for Conservation Research of San Diego Zoo, WWF-Netherlands and the company Wild Spy (Banyo, Australia).…”

Utilising aversive conditioning to manage the behaviour of K’gari (Fraser Island) dingoes (Canis dingo)

“…Other activities people undertake in an effort to repel dingoes such as kicking sand, kicking or splashing water, and throwing objects at dingoes, also appear unlikely to repel dingoes in a meaningful way unless perhaps direct contact is regularly made (Appleby et al 2017b). Clapping and yelling at dingoes may similarly be of little value; however, if used in combination with more immutably aversive stimuli, these could be useful as conditioned warning signals.…”

“…Appleby et al (2017b) recently began this process by examining the immediate responses of several dingoes on Fraser Island exposed to three stimuli: a whistle, an emergency air horn and a motorised water pistol. Neither the whistle nor the air horn appeared to be aversive to most dingoes, but the water pistol produced responses consistent with the stimulus being aversive in many cases.…”