Myths, Furphies and Red Herrings Associated With Dingo Ecology and Management

Abstract

Variability in the inferential strength or reliability of different scientific studies creates uncertainty in the status of knowledge on a given subject, giving rise to multiple myths, furphies and red herrings in scientific discourse. This is particularly true in the case of dingo ecology and management in Australia, which exemplifies common issues surrounding the management of many charismatic predators around the world. In this viewpoint article I describe and classify 15 dingo-related topics as myths, furphies and red herrings, including topics as diverse as genetics, evolutionary history, behaviour, lethal control, species interactions, management practices and policy settings. I argue that myths are often used as an excuse to ‘do nothing’ or to avoid having to do or face something uncomfortable, whereas furphies can cause confusion and create unnecessary argument between stakeholders when management actions incorrectly assume their truthfulness. Practices and policies reliant on myths and furphies inevitably produce poor social, economic and environmental outcomes. Though they can be statements of truth, the deployment of red herrings during discourse does nothing to resolve disagreement, advance knowledge or achieve clarity and shared understanding between stakeholders. As an alternative to ongoing and unproductive debates about the myths, furphies and red herrings described, I encourage a refocus towards the priority issues identified by the IUCN Canid Specialist Group's Dingo Working Group, including obtaining better information on Australian dingoes' relationships with other wild canids, the non-numerical effects of dingo control and the effectiveness of non-lethal tools to manage conflicts with dingoes. Avoidance of myths, furphies and red herrings in favour of a refocus towards more important topics is likely to advance the science of dingo conservation and management more rapidly, and in a much more congenial way, than would otherwise be the case.