The behavioural ecology of dingoes in north-western Australia, 6. Temporary extraterritorial movements and dispersal [Western Australia]

Thomson, P.C.; Rose, K.; Kok, N.E.

The behavioural ecology of dingoes in north-western Australia, 6. Temporary extraterritorial movements and dispersal [Western Australia]

1992

Thomson, P.C. | Rose, K. | Kok, N.E. (Western Australian Dept. of Agriculture, Forrestfield. Agriculture Protection Board)

Between 1975 and 1984, 105 radio-collared dingoes, Canis familiaris dingo, were tracked and observed from aircraft on the Fortescue River in Western Australia. Dingoes maintained strong site fidelity and seldom travelled far beyond their territories. In total, 81 forays (moves 2 km or more beyond territory boundaries) were identified from 6598 independent locations of pack members; 80 were less than 10 km from territory boundaries. Forays involved individuals as well as small groups; 68.2 percent of 22 confirmed individual forays were made by males. Forays occurred in all seasons and years. Some forays appeared to be related to subsequent dispersal. A total of 25 dingoes dispersed as solitary individuals. Mean dispersal distance beyond known pack territories was 20.1 km. Males tended to disperse further than females and had a higher incidence of dispersal. The incidence of dispersal was highest when population density was high and food supply was low. Dispersal was facilitated by the availability of vacant areas. Humans caused much of the mortality of dispersing dingoes. The patterns of dispersal by individuals and groups, and the factors that influence them are similar for dingoes and the related canid, the wolf, Canis lupis. Control work in buffer zones must provide a satisfactory dispersal sink to minimise the risk of incursions by dingoes into livestock-grazing areas.

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