Australia's War on Dingoes: The Truth Behind the Australian Government's Dingo Bounty Program

Australia. A land of harsh landscapes, unique wildlife, and a history of complex relationships between humans and the animals that inhabit it. Among these interactions, few are as controversial as the bounties placed on certain species throughout the years.

In today’s video, we’ll dive into the history of the infamous dingo bounty, explore its parallels with the thylacine and wedge-tailed eagle bounties, and uncover the devastating impacts these policies have had on Australia’s ecosystems.

For centuries, dingoes roamed freely across the continent, playing an important role in the ecosystem by controlling populations of smaller mammals. But in the 1800s, as European settlers expanded into the outback, conflict began to arise.

As farmers tried to protect their livestock, dingoes were vilified as a threat. In response, various Australian states enacted a bounty system, rewarding anyone who could bring in the carcass of a dead dingo. The government’s official stance? The dingo was a pest. But the bounty system didn’t just target dingoes—it was a broader policy that failed to consider the ecological consequences of eradicating a species that had lived on the land for thousands of years.

By the early 20th century, the dingo bounty was widespread. It was a state-sponsored war on the species. The damage done to the dingo population was profound, and the repercussions are still felt today. By the 1980s, the dingo had been driven out of large parts of its former range, and its role as a top predator was replaced by invasive species, which further altered the delicate balance of the ecosystem. But the dingo wasn’t the only species to fall victim to a government-sponsored bounty system. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger, faced a similar fate.

Much like the dingo, the thylacine was seen as a threat to livestock. Farmers feared that the marsupial would attack their sheep, and in 1888, a bounty was placed on the thylacine’s head. Over the decades, thylacines were hunted relentlessly, driven to the brink of extinction. The last known thylacine died in captivity in 1936, but the impact of the bounty system lingered long after.

And the story doesn’t end with the dingo and thylacine. The wedge-tailed eagle, Australia’s largest bird of prey, was also subject to a bounty in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Much like the dingo, these majestic creatures were targeted because of their supposed threat to livestock.

Wedge-tailed eagles were seen as dangerous predators, their powerful talons and keen hunting instincts making them a target for hunters. Farmers believed that the eagles would prey on young sheep or lambs, and so a bounty was set for anyone who could bring in an eagle’s carcass.

Like the dingo and thylacine, the wedge-tailed eagle was decimated by the bounty system. The bird’s population suffered significantly, and although the bounty was eventually phased out, the scars left on the species are still visible today.

Today, the story of these species serves as a powerful reminder of the harm caused by indiscriminate bounty systems. While the bounties were once justified by the belief that they would protect human interests, we now see how they contributed to the decline of some of Australia’s most iconic and unique animals.

The lessons learned from the past have sparked important conversations about how we approach wildlife management today. These creatures, once feared and hunted, are now celebrated for their role in maintaining the balance of Australia’s ecosystems.

The dingo, for example, has recently been recognized for its importance in controlling invasive species like rabbits and foxes, and in keeping ecosystems healthy. Similarly, the wedge-tailed eagle, a symbol of strength and freedom, is slowly recovering from its historical persecution. Through awareness and concerted conservation efforts, we have a chance to undo some of the damage and ensure a future where these remarkable creatures can thrive once again.

The stories of the dingo, thylacine, and wedge-tailed eagle remind us that every species plays a vital role in the web of life, and that understanding and protecting them is not just an ecological responsibility—it’s a moral one.

The stories of the dingo, thylacine, and wedge-tailed eagle should serve as a chilling warning. History has shown us what can happen when we allow fear and misunderstanding to dictate our actions. The thylacine, hunted to extinction by bounties, is gone forever. And while the wedge-tailed eagle is slowly recovering, it’s far from safe. Now, the dingo stands on the precipice of the same tragic path. Once again, it’s vilified, its existence threatened by policies that fail to understand the larger consequences. If we don’t act now, we could lose the dingo just as we lost the thylacine—forever.