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Australian Mammalogy Australian Mammalogy Society
Journal of the Australian Mammal Society
COMMENT AND RESPONSE

The dingo and biodiversity conservation: response to Fleming et al. (2012)

Chris N. Johnson A C and Euan G. Ritchie B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

B School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: c.n.johnson@utas.edu.au

Australian Mammalogy 35(1) 8-14 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM12005
Submitted: 22 January 2012  Accepted: 27 March 2012   Published: 31 August 2012

Abstract

Several authors have recently argued that dingoes could be used to help conserve biodiversity in Australia. Fleming et al. (2012) [Australian Mammalogy 34, 119–131] offer the alternative view that restoration of dingo predation is unlikely to help native species, and is more likely to do harm. We think many of the arguments used by Fleming et al. to reach that conclusion are either unsound or beside the point, and we explain why.

Additional keywords: Canis lupus, ecological restoration, feral cat, mesopredator release, red fox, trophic cascade.


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