The naming and species status of dingoes is hotly debated and has serious policy implications. We outline recent advances in our knowledge of the distinctiveness of dingoes from domestic dogs, highlighting how dingoes are on a different evolutionary path. Resolving debate about the status and name of dingoes will likely require an independent review by a scientific organisation with broad community consultation, similar to the review carried out for Mexican wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) and red wolves (Canis rufus).

Behaviour-driven capture biases (where consistent differences in behaviour among individuals affect their probability of being captured) have the potential to confound studies of animal behaviour and population ecology. This study explicitly tests whether there is any correlation between agitation behaviour and capture probability in wild woylies, finding no evidence for an effect. This finding suggests that studies of woylies using live trapping are unlikely to be confounded by behaviour-driven sampling biases arising from this particular trait.

Detecting nocturnal, canopy-dwelling mammals can be difficult when using conventional survey methods like spotlighting or camera traps. In this single-night feasibility study, we tested the use of thermal drones to detect endangered mahogany gliders in north Queensland, Australia. The method was highly effective under specific flight conditions, detecting six gliders in less than 2 h without eliciting a disturbance response. These findings suggest thermal drones can rapidly and non-invasively confirm glider presence, but further validation is needed. Thermal video stills by Emmeline Norris