The Dingo Fence
It's hard to believe that Australia has the longest fence in the world, the Dingo Fence and it's 5,614km long, 15 km from Coober Pedy. It was built in 1885 to protect the sheep in the southern states of Australia by keeping out dingoes and other wild dogs.
The idea for the dingo proof fence emerged in the late 19th century, with the first rabbit-proof fences being built in the 1860's and 1870's to protect crops from the introduced rabbit populations.
The construction of the fence began in the 1940's with the idea of joining existing fences creating a continuous barrier which goes through 3 States of Australia. Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.
The fence is 180 cm or 6ft high and of wire mesh.
While designed to protect livestock, the fence has had significant impacts on native wildlife, including increased kangaroo populations inside the fence due to the lack of dingo predation. There are still ongoing debates regarding the fence.
Incredible!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
: )
Thank you.
DeleteI know why they created the fence. But to have protected the sheep from dingoes on one side of the fence, the sheep owners had to have been 100% certain there were no dingoes on their side from Day 1. Just two randy dingoes could have repopulated the clean side within a short time, making the fence useless.
ReplyDeleteThat could have happened Hels and mostly likely it did on the clean fence side, but I bet you the farmers got rig of them, obviously.
DeleteWho knew?!?! That is one long fence!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is a very long fence and I bet not many people know about why it was put there, or even that it's there.
DeleteI never knew that, how interesting.
ReplyDeleteWell there you go Bill, I reckon not a lot of people know that either, some probably wouldn't care, others would and do care.
DeleteThat's quite a long fence. I guess everything has double sides.
ReplyDeleteYes it is long, and the fence is the same both sides as far as I am aware, Angie.
DeleteWow so long fencešBut it must be to protect the sheep.I have never seen a Dingo
ReplyDeleteMust be a great experience.Beautiful country..wild and strongš
Yes Anita, lovely country, flat and mostly bare where we could see the land and the fence.
DeleteI'm doing a post on Dingoes, should be later this week or early next week.
I doubt we could build it now. And am sure the debates still continue.
ReplyDeleteYou are probably correct on that EC, city and some town people would not understand why a fence had to be built, you would never get it through their thick heads. Always be debates about the fence, and of course farmers need it there.
DeleteDingo fence is an incredible achievement
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was a great one.
DeleteDidn't they make some movie about this fence and some lost aboriginal
ReplyDeletekids???????
I don't believe the fence worked - the dingoes dug under it and the feral camels just knocked it down. Maybe people don't know but there are more wild camels in Australia after that telephone line was built between the southern states and Darwin. The camels with Afghan handlers transported the poles. Quite a feat.
Of course camels racing is very popular in that remote outback and in Broome, WA.
Cheers
Colin
PS: And still raining here and the shark nets from Newcastle down to Kiama
are going to be replaced by drones??????????
I've got an idea there was a movie now that you have mentioned it.
DeleteWell that is why people have to keep repairing and inspecting the fence Colin, just incase a camel pushed part of the fence over, they would only want to go to the other side to see what was there, and the grass is not always greener on the other side either, so it's said.
Gosh more rain, oh dear me.
Drones and remove the shark nets, really!! How dumb is that, for the drones are not going to stop the sharks, only tell us where the sharks are. Oh dear me.
The drones will work - sirens go off to warn people.
DeleteFunnily on a US quiz show - JEOPODY on SBS at 5,05pm.
There was a question on this yesterday - restrictions on land overseas????
It was answered correctly. Amazing.
Have fun answering the authority from Canada on the fence and let him
have a blast - ha ha.
Oh weather report - IT IS RAINING AGAIN. Quack quack.
Cheers
Colin
Raining again up your way, no rain here for ages but it will come eventually Colin.
DeleteEveryone has an opinion and that's ok, he hasn't lived in the outback so can understand his point of view.
Well that will be great if the drones work, I didn't think they would other than tell people sharks are about...we see how it goes.
Thanks for the reply.
Es un bello valle. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteIt is quite amazing, and of course has to be maintained. But I am not sure it is a good idea, though I am sure it will stay.
ReplyDeleteIt has to stay Andrew to protect the sheep and crops where they are grown plus other creature...always be a debate about it.
DeleteAn amazingly long fence. I have seen it in South Australia.
ReplyDeleteIt's just a fence but when you realize why it's there you understand the fence.
DeleteWow, I had no idea Australia had the longest fence in the world! Crazy how something built to protect sheep ended up changing wildlife populations too. Makes you wonder if the fence is still the best solution or if itās time for a change.
ReplyDeleteHave no idea what they would put there if they didn't have the fence Veronica. Something might come along one day that is a better idea in the future. The fence is there to protect crops and many other things as well.
DeleteAm I correct thinking the fence goes quite a way underground to prevent the dingoes digging under it? And I wonder how often these days it is checked and maintained. And I know this might upset some people, but the kangaroos could be culled for food to keep the numbers within reasonable limits. Maybe they already are, I see kangaroo meat in the stores, though not as cheap as it once was, but everything else is more expensive too. To me, farming kangaroos isn't any different from farming sheep, cattle and deer (venison)for food, just smaller operations.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct in your thinking R, the fence goes 1 foot underground. The fence is inspected, well, it was when we were there, saw the people inspecting, so guess it's still done, if not the farmers in the southern states SA wouldn't be too happy, or any of them actually.
DeleteYou are right regarding the kangaroos, culling is the best thing and they are culled. When we were in Cunnamulla so many kangaroos on the oval, no more could fit.
What a long fence they made.
ReplyDeleteHandy to protect animals.
I wish you a nice new week.
Greetings Irma
Thank you Irma.
DeleteInteresting--- But then your posts always are!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill.
DeleteThe restriction on the movement of wildlife saddens me greatly. In typical human fashion it was originally constructed to deal with introduced rabbits (now there was a problem of your own making) and to protect introduced sheep. A move towards a plant- based diet would help. I am amazed that you can state so sanguinely, āYou are right regarding the kangaroos, culling is the best thing.ā I am not quite sure where your expertise comes from and whether you are aware of the consequences of the continued assault on native wildlife. There are scientific, peer- reviewed papers on these matters, so I assume that you have read them and base your opinion on facts.
ReplyDeleteEach to his own David. Yes, culling is the best thing in certain places - I have been in the outback a fair bit and stayed, also talked to many farmers who have lost their crops = food to feed us, it's heart breaking to listen to them and one has to live there to understand. There are many reason why that practice is done and one day something better may come along.
DeleteThe deer population is controlled in Tasmania too.
I did not know this fact, it is always pleasant and enriching to know,
ReplyDeleteHappy week.
Best regards
Always we are learning, Jose.
DeleteI didn't know about the fence. It's a good idea though.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good idea Mary and it's been there for many years now.
DeleteI had no idea. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, it's good to learn things an se things.
DeleteI of course have heard of the dingo fence, I haven't seen it in person though
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased you have heard of it Jo-Anne, it serves a purpose.
DeleteThe Dingo Fence is such a fascinating piece of history, especially considering its immense length and the purpose behind it. It's incredible that Australia has the longest fence in the world.
ReplyDeleteMuch history and debate regarding the Dingo Fence Melody.
DeleteMargaret, I didn't know it was a dingo. I investigated and I see that it is a dog species. Modifying the habitat of the animals in the region can bring problems to the region that may not always be good.
ReplyDeleteThat's true Norma. I have a post coming on Dingos.
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating part of your country's history Margaret. thank you so much for sharing and for the map. As I have mentioned before, I am always appreciative of those as my geography improves :) Great photos!
ReplyDeleteYou ae welcome Denise.
DeleteIt certainly is a very long fence!
ReplyDeleteSending good wishes to you for the new month of April.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan. It sure is a long one.
DeleteThat's quite a feat
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed.
DeleteI've never heard of that 5,000 km fence in your country. Interesting information about dingo predation!
ReplyDeleteYesterday I hosted a couple from your country. Kym and her husband James, who come from Brisbane, stayed one night. This morning they are boarding on the cruise ship.
Have a nice month of April, Margaret.
I guess many people haven't heard of the Dingo Fence even some Australians.
DeleteWell that was nice to host fellow Australians, I'm sure they enjoyed staying with you.
Impressive fence, so long, my God!
ReplyDeleteHappy month of April
Yes, Maria, one mighty long fence indeed.
DeleteWow this is amazing and interesting to k know fact dear Margaret šš„°
ReplyDeleteI just checked the unfamiliar term dingoes which appears an Australian species of the dog.
Thank you for sharing this because I would have missed it otherwise š¤
Hugs and best wishes ā„ļø
You are welcome, Baili. I'm doing a post on Dingoes.
DeleteBuenas imagenes. Me gusta la linea de la primera.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was hard to get a good photo of the fence as in how long because the sun was in the way at that time of day...love the sun though.
DeleteInteresantisimo lo que nos cuentas, me ha encantado esta entrada,saludos.
ReplyDeleteThank you, good to see a comment from you. š Hope you are well.
DeleteSĆ, habĆa oĆdo hablar sobre esa valla y todo me parece interesante. Besos.
ReplyDeleteInteresting you have heard about the fence, Teresa.
DeleteInteresting post and exce;;ent information. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Nasreen.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThe dingofence looks very strong. I guess it has to be high enough so the dingoes don't jump over it. Have a nice day and weekend!
Yes, it's a high fence and the dingoes are a strong type of dog.
DeleteAwesome fence, Margaret. Fascinating. I have never seen one like this before. In response to your question on my blog today, I believe I was the one who commented on your blog years ago...one, I recognize your lovely profile photo and I just noticed that you were a follower on my old blog which is no longer active. I have managed to add a follower list at the bottom of my new blog and it would be an honor to have you back. I love your blog and your posts and your comments on other blogs, including mine are always kind and much appreciated. ā¤ļø
ReplyDeleteWell thank you for replying and yes, the two of us did follow each other and comment many years ago. I will add you to my blog list and thank you for adding me to yours, Linda. Lovely to see you back blogging.
Delete