Wild dog baiting program underway in Northern Rivers

THE NSW Government has begun its autumn wild dog baiting program across the Northern Rivers as part of ongoing efforts to protect livestock and native wildlife.

A Local Land Services spokesperson said baiting remains one of the most effective tools for reducing wild dog populations when used alongside trapping, targeted shooting and monitoring programs.

Under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015, pest animal management is a shared responsibility, requiring landholders to take part in coordinated control efforts on their own properties.

Local Land Services supports these programs by supplying baits to trained landholders and coordinating cross tenure control campaigns across rural areas.

The current campaign includes both aerial and ground baiting to help cover large and remote areas where wild dogs pose a risk to livestock and native species.

“Aerial baiting involves applying meat baits containing 1080 poison from an aircraft along predetermined routes in high risk areas,” the spokesperson said.

“Ground baiting involves landholders strategically placing baits across their properties.”

Authorities say integrated pest control programs aim to significantly reduce wild dog populations and limit livestock losses.