There has been much controversy over the Dingo, it’s origins as well as its behaviour as a carnivorous animal (towards humans), and thus it’s ‘acceptability’ on the loose in modern society.
It is believed the Dingo was originally brought here as a domestic animal from Indonesia. For this reason, some disregard it as a native and claim it is introduced; even though Dingo have been here for centuries.
It has been suggested Dingo caused the extinction of the Tasmanian Devil on the mainland. This claim is generally intended to promote Dingo’s negative reputation instead of acknowledging the fact that he is a part of the web of life. (Issues of blame may be relevant here, with the actual cause being irrelevant!)
Survival of the fittest is a part of the urge all living creatures. Dingo has few natural enemies (mainly crocodile and people) and is at the top of the food chain. The arrival of the white people has dramatically changed the distribution of the Dingo, with the added possibility of it being bred out of existence with the presence of domestic, introduced canines. Due to Dingo’s damage to stock, the great Dingo fence spans Australia and is longer than the Great Wall of China; an epic effort to control this beast!
Dingoes can hunt small game alone but will hunt in packs to bring down larger game – just as you would operate in life if Dingo is espied hunting. The size of your game will be determined by whether you choose to work alone or in the company of others.
The Dingo has become a part of Australian folklore, especially since a baby called Azaria mysteriously disappeared at Uluru in 1980. This incident, which resulted in worldwide controversy, highlights the relationship between man and wild creatures. Some Dingoes are half-wild and accept food, for example, from tourists at Uluru. As well as for dingo, tales of goannas ripping tents open to get food, and kangaroos attacking humans result in many misconceptions. [1] The creatures themselves are innocent; it is our relationship with them which needs to be examined.
Dingoes do not bark, however they will howl – attributed in the Dreaming[2] to a Dingo eating hot chillies. He is offered some proper food however a fire cannot be lit to cook it as it is too damp; his attempts to start it give him blisters which is why dingoes have short ‘fingers’ and eat their food raw.
One Dreaming[3] describes Dingo as a lazy, spoilt bludger. The tribes’ people finally have enough of it, so they secretly disappear overnight, hiding their tracks and leaving Dingo with weapons so he can hunt for himself. Dingo has to learn to be independent; however his resentment at this treatment results in him being a killer who slaughters indiscriminately. This is especially obvious today; introduced sheep and cattle cannot escape Dingo as easily as a native animal. Dingo’s savage cruelty in this respect has received some bad media publicity, not encouraging a popular appeal for this creature.
In a positive role, in yet another Dreaming, (see Budgerigar) Dingo acts as a watchdog, highlighting the beneficial abilities domesticated dog has for man.
If you especially related to Dingo Dreaming or energy, see if you can give any seemingly negative Dingo qualities a positive slant.
The appearance of Dingo may auger an opportunity to become responsible for something you normally expect others to do. Issues around independence and resentment may also be highlighted.
[1] and in other countries, bears and monkeys, eg
[2] Bozic, Sreten. “Aboriginal Myths.”
[3] Reference forgotten