​​Donkeys prove capable guardians in wild dog protection trial​

Trained donkeys have demonstrated their value in protecting sheep from wild dog attacks in an innovative trial in the Central Tablelands.
Landholders Butch and Fiona Pilley worked closely with Local Land Services to introduce two donkeys as guardian animals into their Hill End grazing operation, with no dog attacks recorded over the three years since, said Senior Biosecurity Officer Paul Gibb.
“We started working with Butch and Fiona on the donkey project about three years ago,” Mr Gibb said.
“Since we've started, there have been no attacks from wild dogs on sheep with the donkeys in the mob - knowing the history of this area, it's been a great outcome.”
The Pilleys and other landholder in the area have suffered significant livestock losses due to wild dog attacks, carrying with it large economic, welfare and emotional costs.
“You could come down to a paddock in the morning and find twenty to thirty sheep killed in one night,” Mr Pilley said.
“They can also kill a lot of lambs - one year we lost around 250 lambs with a follow-on impact on ewes lambing in the following years.
“So the cost could easily add up to $30,000, plus the stress of having to come down every morning and find your sheep dead or maimed.
“The impact that the donkeys have had has been quite remarkable.”
Donkeys are well suited as guardian animals and have a long history of protecting livestock in parts of the world. However, they must be bonded carefully with livestock to ensure a successful result.
“Donkeys are well-matched against a wild dog and can be quite aggressive,” Mr Gibb said.
“They can strike at a dog with their feet and grab it with their mouths, so they're very good defensive animals.”
The trial is one of the ways Local Land Services works with landholders to support effective pest management and reduce their impact on livestock and the environment.