Introducing a new poison to control wild dogs has opened divisions among landholders, as efforts are stepped up to stem sheep attacks in the Snowy Mountains south of Canberra.
Wild dogs are flourishing, costing agriculture hundreds of millions of dollars. They are feeding off deer and pig carcasses left from shooters and consequently raising healthier pups. They use fire trails where baits cannot be laid because of absentee landholders.
Some graziers are reluctant to bait wild dogs for fear of killing their own working dogs. National wild dog facilitator Greg Mifsud says the new toxin, para-amino propriophenone (PAPP), should overcome those concerns. While no more effective than 1080, it has an effective antidote.
"It gives us another option to give to people who are concerned about 1080," Mr Mifsud said.
"What we are seeing in the change of land use and land ownership, in areas where we have large agriculture production, we have lifestyle blocks and hobby farmers, that would prefer to have an antidote for it."
But critics say it is expensive, the antidote must be administered quickly by a vet, and it has more restrictions than 1080.
South Coast grazier Ellen Green, and former chair of the Australian Wool Innovation wild dog advisory group, says growers have worried over 10 years of research into PAPP that it would replace 1080.
"You don't understand, this is about our survival," she once said to a researcher, only to be told: "No, you don't understand, it is about our survival." Ms Green, who became interested in the issue after being "eaten out" by wild dogs near Bemboka in the 1980s, said the issue had developed into an industry that soaked up money that should be used on trapping and 1080 baiting.
Mr Mifsud, from Invasive Animals CRC, says PAPP won't replace 1080. "I think we have managed those fears and are promoting it as a complementary tool to work alongside 1080. "
High lamb and wool prices are increasing pressure on rangers and farmers to control wild dogs. Grazier Hubert Dixon says a slain sheep costs him on average $100. His family has been at Yarrawa, a 1200 hectare property near Kosciuszko and Namadgi National Parks since 1938. He says it is a relief when a trapper arrives.
"Years ago, before the Dixons arrived, people took an old horse into the backblocks, they would shoot it and rub strychnine into it," Mr Dixon said. "Strychnine stays in bones for years. A pup playing with a bone 10 years later can get poisoned, that's why they've banned it."
Mr Dixon says National Parks regard wild dogs as natural predators, and don't control them in core breeding areas. As dog numbers grow, the alpha dog pushes young dogs out to land where they can be poisoned or trapped.
Local Land Services seasonal trapper Mick Davis, who trapped 19 dogs in the area in autumn, said getting the farming community involved in baiting helped clear feral cats and foxes, which can disrupt dog trapping.
"You catch the foxes and they stuff your set-up. You won't want dogs seeing a fox stuck in a trap because they start getting a bit switched on, if you know what I mean," Mr Davis said.
Shannons Flat landholder Thomas Ross says providing poison handling training and free baits had helped make an impact on predator numbers.
Pest animal controller Tim Russell says the Clear Range fire trail in the mountains, a well worn run for wild dogs, was a prime trapping area. "Getting landowners' approvals can be difficult because of the number of absentee landholders," Mr Russell said. "Some live in Sydney and couldn't care about stock losses."
