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Volume 4, Thursday September 4th, 2008

Coverted and controversial Are dingos the solution to the feral cat and fox problem? By Zak Zeptner Plans are already underway for the development of one of the Nation’s largest and highly coveted scientific experiments. The Arid Recovery program plans to introduce a control facility to monitor the habits of dingos in relation to feral cats and foxes. Fencing is all but finished, outlining a 37 square kilometre boundary at the top of the Arid Recovery reserve where dingos, feral cats and foxes will be introduced to observe whether the dingos will have an effect on the feral population. “There is a hypothesis that the dingos will pray on the cats and foxes, which would have a positive effect on the wildlife and environment,” said Dingo Research Officer Adam Kilpatrick. “No one has had the opportunity to study the effects of dingos on cats and foxes in a purely scientific way, so this is a first.” The area of the study will remain completely as it is, with no

feral extermination to take place, in order to see if there will be a detrimental effect on the feral population. The cats, foxes and dingos to be introduced to the area will be fitted with VHF and GPS transmitting collars to help researchers determine the effect they are having. As of this stage, no introduced species, such as the bilby, will be admitted to the area, commented Adam, however, if the dingos prove to have an effect on the cats and foxes, there is a possibility for the future. The study has received grant funding from the National Heritage Trust and has been much talked about for the past ten years. As of now, it is unsure when the animals will be introduced to the area, as there are currently low numbers of feral cats and foxes due to the drought. “We want to get an entire pack of wild dingos for the study, ones that already know each other, and that is very had to find in the

bush,” said Adam. “It’s quite difficult to get everything together as it is a large project that requires a lot of time and money but the results will be worth it. “It’s a ground breading study.” Some may raise concerns over this highly controversial study, especially since the dingo is classed as a national pest that many believe should be exterminated. “We have to look at it from both perspectives and there are those involved looking at it from the perspective of farmers and the like, who suffer losses at the hands of the dingo,” said Adam. “There’s no point in releasing the dingos if all they are going to do is cause destruction. “But if it is successful, it could change the way we look at the ecosystem; the dingo could help facilitate a drop in feral cat and fox numbers.”

Roxby honours its sporting champions for 2008 It was a big weekend for two of Roxby’s biggest sporting bodies, Australian Rules Football and Netball. Both sports honoured their champions for 2008 at presentation events that named their best and fairest, rising stars, goal kickers, and 100 game players. Officials were not left out with Bev Zeptner being awarded the SANFL Merit award for her 21 years of service to the Woomera & Districts Football League. The Golden Whistle award for umpiring was won by Graham Warren. The nights saw fantastic line-ups of highly skilled and dedicated players, all of whom grateful for recognition from their respected associations. These award ceremonies are a fantastic way to distinguish those who have put in the effort to achieve greatness in the town’s sporting associations and receive huge amounts of support from much appreciated community members. The Monitor congratulates the winners and all of the players, umpires and committees for a great season of winter sport. Left: Mail Medal winner Tyrone Price Right: Netball Best and Fairest Winner Hayley Summerton

Bev Zeptner, recipient of the SANFL Merrit Award

Brett Chesson, Best Under 21 player and Mail Medal Runner Up

Ricky Prosser, Leading Goal Kicker of the W&DFL

Sophie Wissell, Cassie Weir Katica Cockshell winners of the Netball Rising Star Award


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