AUSTRALIA’S WORRIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIA’S WORRIES.

.SYDSI'IV. -I,me 19. Zoologists have often speculated on the possibility of a new pest arising through the mating of the terrible* native dog of Australia the dingo—and the fox. Hitherto this lias been mere speculation, hut last week a discovery by a well-known pastoralist Air*Sharpe, near Blood's Creek, in the nprthern territory, of what he is eon- | vilK'od is the offspring of these two destructive animals, has greatly alarmed pastora lists.

Air Sharpe has reported to the Sur-veyor-General of South Australia (Mr T. E. Dayi that he, anti a black boy were out limiting about 2.7 miles northeast of Blood's creek, in Hie region of what is known as the Toolawntcliio \\ ntorhole. and came across the footprints of animals. Air Sharpe said to his Mtendant, ‘'AYliat name this; track?’ The black fellow replied. “.Me think him pussycat.’’ They followed up the track until they came to the lair, of which there were footprints of a dingo and a fox. Tnside the mile they discovered a litter of

pups, which Air Sharpe, who has liven in the district all his life, affirms ti be a cross between dingo and fox. T: this 's so—and Mr Day is sceptical it would seem that there is lintel trouble ahead to add to the burden ol pastoralisls.• One of the habits of tho "‘ily fox. whirli c:iii ciimh :i vorminproof fence, is to worry lambs ami cat the tongues. If tlio lamb is not killed outright in this process it must die of starvation. The dingo is a bigger and more powerful animal, and

lie dues not hesitate to attack, kil and eat a sheep. He has been known t

worry a flock of sheep to death with out having any desire to kill one lo

food. Should the union of the two, dingo and fox produce a hybrid which will combine the cunning and climbing ability of the fox with the ferocity and strength of the dingo. settlers

may lie hurrasswrl to a greater extent ‘.lnin at present. It would he a calamity if such eross-lued.s became at all numerous. The fox i.s rapidly exterminating the native ground birds, including the native pheasant, wild turkeys and curlews. The dingo nuisance is combated by vermin-proof fencing, poison, and traps. Were it not for the vermin fencing, the settlers’ task of killing the dingoes would he like trying to bale out the ocean. Dingoes are all over the interior. Air Sharpe i.s arranging to have some of the pups sent to Adelaide, and the University authorities have been asked to make a thorough investigation of the matter. Until the animals have been carefully examined tile accuracy of tile report or the extent of the possibilities cannot be pronounced upon. I’rofessor Brailsforil Robertson says that lie lias never known of sueli a mating but lie certainly would not dismiss it ns impossible. Domestic and wild dogs, be added, bad been known to mate, and the lux and dingo were •loselv related animals. As a tide..

the distinguishing eharactcristies of the parents were inherited by the offspring. The colour of tile emit might lie inlicrtied from one patent, and the size of the animal from the other. As a rule, the eluiliicteristies were handed down, unaltered, the most marked exception being the colour of the skin ill man. which became modified by crossing. H would be impossible to snv wlmt would lie the liahit.s and characteristics of an animal which was a cross between a fox and dingo until it was seen bow the hybrid would be )ihle to stand up to the local conditions. It might inherit qualities of both parents, but not nei e.ssarilv those qualities which would be most useful to it. It might not- lie big enough to kill a sheep or agile enough to climb a fence, in which ease it would lie at a disanvantage in comparison to its parents.