How wildlife is defined, and which wildlife is accorded protection, emerges from competing constructions of nature and culture. Few species of Australian wildlife have as ambiguous an identity as dingoes. This paper identifies three dualisms that characterise discourses relating to Australian dingoes Canis lupus dingo. They are at once classified as both a pest and protected species, perceived to be feral and native, and most recently categorised as either pure or hybrid. It is argued that these dualisms are underpinned by different versions of the nature-culture dichotomy. Portrayals and perceptions of dingoes around Australia are explored to reveal how different aspects of the dualisms identified are drawn upon within different contexts. Illustrations of the contradictory constructions of dingoes highlight the need to critically deconstruct discourses relating to wildlife, particularly when they inform actions. As such, this paper demonstrates the important contribution a discourse-sensitive approach can make to understanding human perceptions of wildlife.
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission). 2008a. Fraser Island dingo fence completed. ABC News Online. 24 October 2008.
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission). 2008b. Dingo protected in Victorian Alpine region. ABC News Online. 24 October 2008.
Aitken, G. 2004. A New Approach to Conservation: The Importance of the Individual through Wildlife Rehabilitation. Ashgate Publishing Limited, Aldershot.
,
2004
Allen, R. (ed) 2001. The Penguin English Dictionary. Penguin Books, London.
,
2001
Animal Liberation Queensland 2003. Animal Liberation Queensland. [Pamphlet] Animal Liberation Queensland, Brisbane.
,
2003
Barry, J. 1999. Environment and Social Theory. Routledge, London.
,
1999
Beckett, R. 2000. The New Dinkum Aussie Dictionary. New Holland Publishers, Sydney.
,
2000
Bennett, J. and Chaloupka, W. 1993. The Nature of Things: Language, Politics, and the Environment. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis.
,
1993
Best, L.W., Corbett, L.K., Stephens, D.R. and Newsome, A.E. 1974. Baiting trials for dingoes in central Australia, with poison ‘1080’ encapsulated strychnine, and strychnine suspended in methyl cellulose. CSIRO Division of Wildlife Research Technical Paper. 30:1-7.
Baiting trials for dingoes in central Australia, with poison ‘1080’ encapsulated strychnine, and strychnine suspended in methyl cellulose
, CSIRO Division of Wildlife Research Technical Paper
, vol. 30
(pg. 1
-7
) Bough, J. 2006. From value to vermin: a history of the donkey in Australia. Australian Zoologist. 33(3):388-397.
From value to vermin: a history of the donkey in Australia
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 33
(pg. 388
-397
) Burbidge, A.A. 2004Introduced Mammals on Western Australian Islands: Improving Australia's Ability to Protect its Island Habitats from Feral Animals. Final Report for the Australian Government, Department of Environment and Heritage.
Burns, G.L. 2006. The fascination of fur and feathers: managing human-animal interactions in wildlife tourism settings. Australian Zoologist. 33(4):446-457.
The fascination of fur and feathers: managing human-animal interactions in wildlife tourism settings
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 33
(pg. 446
-457
) Burns, G.L. and Howard, P. 2003. When wildlife tourism goes wrong: a case study of stakeholder and management issues regarding Dingoes on Fraser Island, Australia. Tourism Management. 24:699-712.
When wildlife tourism goes wrong: a case study of stakeholder and management issues regarding Dingoes on Fraser Island, Australia
, Tourism Management
, vol. 24
(pg. 699
-712
) Cathles, E. 2001. A landowners perspective. Pp 75-83 in Symposium on the Dingo, edited by C.R. Dickman and D. Lunney. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman, NSW, Australia.
,
Symposium on the Dingo
(pg. 75
-83
) Corbett, L. 1995. Dingoes: expatriate wolves or native dogs? Nature Australia. 25(3):46-55.
Dingoes: expatriate wolves or native dogs
, Nature Australia
, vol. 25
(pg. 46
-55
) Corbett, L. 2001. The Dingo in Australia and Asia. JB Books, Adelaide.
,
2001
Crone, J. 2001. Dingo Hunters. Southern Exposure. Vol. 2. [Video Recording] ABC Videos, Sydney.
Davidson, S. 2004. The great dingo dilution. ECOS. 118 :10-12.
The great dingo dilution
, ECOS
, vol. 118
(pg. 10
-12
) Davis, E. 2001. Legislative issues relating to control of dingoes and other wild dogs in New South Wales I: approaches to future management. Pp 39-41 in Symposium on the Dingo, edited by C.R. Dickman and D. Lunney. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman, NSW, Australia.
,
Symposium on the Dingo
(pg. 39
-41
) Dickman, C. R. and Lunney, D. 2001a. Plenary: A session of questions and answers. Pp 98-94 in Symposium on the Dingo, edited by C.R. Dickman and D. Lunney. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman, NSW, Australia.
,
Symposium on the Dingo
(pg. 98
-94
) Dickman, C.R. and Lunney, D. 2001b. Last howl of the dingo: the legislation, ecological and practical issues arising from the kill-or-conserve dilemma. Pp 95-107 in Symposium on the Dingo, edited by C.R. Dickman and D. Lunney. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman, NSW, Australia.
,
Symposium on the Dingo
(pg. 95
-107
) Dove, M.R. 1992. The dialectical history of ‘jungle’ in Pakistan: an examination of the relationship between nature and culture. Journal of Anthropological Research. 48(3):231-253.
The dialectical history of ‘jungle’ in Pakistan: an examination of the relationship between nature and culture
, Journal of Anthropological Research
, vol. 48
(pg. 231
-253
) Eason, C., Warburton, B. and Henderson, R. 2000. Toxicants used for possum control. In The Brushtail Possum: Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial, edited by T.L. Montague. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln, New Zealand.
,
The Brushtail Possum: Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial
Edwards, L. 2007. Farmers oppose dingo protection. The Age. 8 August 2007.
Eldridge, S. 2003. Intact dingo pack works in your favor. Savanna Link. 24:12. Available from: http://savanna.cdu.edu.au/savanna_web/publications/downloads/savlinks24.pdf.
Ellen, R. 1996. Introduction. In Redefining Nature: Ecology, Culture and Domestication, edited R. Ellen and K. Berg, Oxford.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) 2001. Fraser Island Dingo Management Strategy. Conservation Management Report. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane.
,
2001
Fleming, P., Corbett, L., Harden, R. and Thomson, P 2001. Managing the Impacts of Dingoes and Other Wild Dogs. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Kingston.
,
2001
Gill, N. 1999. The ambiguities of wilderness. In Australian Cultural Geographies, edited by E. Straford. Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.
,
Australian Cultural Geographies
Grewal, J. 2009. Pure bred dingoes face extinction. Fraser Coast Chronicle. 6 March 2009.
Harris, D. R. 1996. Domesticatory relationships of people, plants and animals. In Redefining Nature: Ecology, Culture and Domestication, edited R. Ellen and K. Berg, Oxford.
Hytten, K.F. and Burns, G.L. 2007. Deconstructing dingo management on Fraser Island, Queensland: the significance of social constructionism for effective wildlife management. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management. 14:48-57.
Deconstructing dingo management on Fraser Island, Queensland: the significance of social constructionism for effective wildlife management
, Australasian Journal of Environmental Management
, vol. 14
(pg. 48
-57
) Knight, J. 2000. Introduction. In Natural Enemies: People- Wildlife Conflicts in Anthropological Perspective, edited by J. Knight. Routledge, London.
,
Natural Enemies: People- Wildlife Conflicts in Anthropological Perspective
Koler-Matznick, J. 2002. The Dingo. Rosen Publications, Sydney.
,
2002
Lawson, T. 1996. Brent Duck. Ecos: A Review of Conservation. 17(2):27-35.
Brent Duck
, Ecos: A Review of Conservation
, vol. 17
(pg. 27
-35
) Low, T. 2001. Feral Future: The Untold Story of Australia's Exotic Invaders. Penguin Books, Ringwood.
,
2001
Low, T. 2002. The New Nature: Winners and Losers in Wild Australia. Viking, Camberwell.
,
2002
May, B. 1986. The Great Dingo Fence, and other Australian Oddities. Saint George Books, Perth.
,
1986
Meek, ED. and Shields, J. 2001. Positive dingo management: how not to throw out the baby with the bath water. Pp 65-74 in Symposium on the Dingo, edited by C.R. Dickman and D. Lunney. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman, NSW, Australia.
,
Symposium on the Dingo
(pg. 65
-74
) Meggitt, M.J. 1965. The Association between Australian Aborigines and Dingoes. In Man, Culture and Animals: The Role of Animals in Human Ecological Adjustment, edited by A. Leeds and A. Vayda. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington DC.
,
Man, Culture and Animals: The Role of Animals in Human Ecological Adjustment
Menkhorst, P.W. and Knight, F. 2001. A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
,
2001
Meredith, P. 2004. Bye bye dingo. Australian Geographic. 74:104-109.
Bye bye dingo
, Australian Geographic
, vol. 74
(pg. 104
-109
) Michael M.A. 2000. Preserving Wildlife: An International Perspective. Humanity Books, New York.
,
2000
Milton, K. 2000. Ducks out of water: nature conservation as boundary maintenance. In Natural Enemies: People-Wildlife Conflicts in Anthropological Perspective, edited by J. Knight. Routledge, London.
,
Natural Enemies: People-Wildlife Conflicts in Anthropological Perspective
Morley, P 2004. Marauders outfoxed with dogged determination. The Courier Mail. 28 August, 2004.
Mullin, M.H. 1999. Mirrors and windows: sociological studies of human-animal relationships. Annual Review of Anthropology, 28:201-24.
Mirrors and windows: sociological studies of human-animal relationships
, Annual Review of Anthropology
, vol. 28
(pg. 201
-24
) Newby, J., Rickard, P. and Palmer, J. 2001. The secret history of the dingo. The Science Show. Radio National. Broadcast 16 June 2007 by the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Transcript available from: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2007/1952216.htm.
O'Neill, A. 2002. Living With the Dingo. Envirobook, Armadale.
,
2002
Paltridge, B. 2006. Discourse Analysis: An Introduction. Continuum, London.
,
2006
Parker, M. 2007. The cunning dingo. Society and Animals. 15:69-78.
The cunning dingo
, Society and Animals
, vol. 15
(pg. 69
-78
) Peace, A. 2001. Dingo discourse: constructions of nature and contradictions of capital in an Australian eco-tourist location. Anthropological Forum. 11(2):175-194.
Dingo discourse: constructions of nature and contradictions of capital in an Australian eco-tourist location
, Anthropological Forum
, vol. 11
(pg. 175
-194
) Phillips, N. and Hardy, C. 2002. Discourse Analysis: Investigating Processes of Social Construction. Sage, London.
,
2002
Reardon, M. 1992. Dingo: resourceful hunter with an image problem. Australian Geographic. 27:84-99.
Dingo: resourceful hunter with an image problem
, Australian Geographic
, vol. 27
(pg. 84
-99
) Roberts, G. 2002. Going to the dogs: DNA evidence is damming the dingo's future. Sydney Morning Herald. 31 August, 2002.
Rogers, L.J. and Kaplan, G. 2003. Spirit of the Wild Dog: The World of Wolves, Jackals and Dingoes. Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest.
,
2003
Sinclair, J. 1990. Fraser Island and Cooloola. Willoughby: Weldon.
,
Fraser Island and Cooloola
Smith, N. 1999. The howl and the pussy: feral cats and wild dogs in the Australian imagination. The Australian Journal of Anthropology. 10(3):288-305.
The howl and the pussy: feral cats and wild dogs in the Australian imagination
, The Australian Journal of Anthropology
, vol. 10
(pg. 288
-305
) Smith, N. 2006.Thank your mother for the rabbits: bilbies, bunnies and redemptive ecology. Australian Zoologist. 33(3):369-378.
Thank your mother for the rabbits: bilbies, bunnies and redemptive ecology
, Australian Zoologist
, vol. 33
(pg. 369
-378
) Smith, W. and Green, G. 2001. Top ranger brought in for the cull. The Courier Mail. 5 May 2001.
Suchet, S. 2002. ‘Totally wild’? Colonising discourses, indigenous knowledges and managing wildlife. Australian Geographer. 3(2):141-157.
‘Totally wild’? Colonising discourses, indigenous knowledges and managing wildlife
, Australian Geographer
, vol. 3
(pg. 141
-157
) Teich, M., Porter, R. and Gustafsson, B. 1997. Nature and Society in Historical Context. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
,
1997
The Courier Mail. 2007. Qld call for dingo bounty. The Courier Mail. 1 April 2007.
Trigger, D., Mulcock, J., Gaynor, A. and Toussaint, Y. 2008. Ecological restoration, cultural preferences and the negotiation of ‘nativeness’ in Australia. Geoforum. 39:1273-1283.
Ecological restoration, cultural preferences and the negotiation of ‘nativeness’ in Australia
, Geoforum
, vol. 39
(pg. 1273
-1283
) Wilkes, G.A. 1996. A Dictionary of Australian Colloquialisms. 4th Edition. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
,
1996
Wilton, A.N. 2001. DNA methods for assessing dingo purity. Pp 49-56 in Symposium on the Dingo, edited by C.R. Dickman and D. Lunney. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman, NSW, Australia.
,
Symposium on the Dingo
(pg. 49
-56
) WPSQ (Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland) 2008. Fraser Island dingo fence controversy. Wildlife Queensland News. 194:7.
This content is only available as a PDF.
