Implementing a novel process for solving contentious conservation problems: The genetic status of K'gari wongari (Fraser Island Dingoes) as a case study

Article


Allen, Benjamin L. and Ross, Helen. 2024. "Implementing a novel process for solving contentious conservation problems: The genetic status of K'gari wongari (Fraser Island Dingoes) as a case study." Ecological Management and Restoration. 25 (3), pp. 168-176. https://doi.org/10.1111/emr.12611
Article Title

Implementing a novel process for solving contentious conservation problems: The genetic status of K'gari wongari (Fraser Island Dingoes) as a case study

ERA Journal ID3232
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsAllen, Benjamin L. and Ross, Helen
Journal TitleEcological Management and Restoration
Journal Citation25 (3), pp. 168-176
Number of Pages9
Year2024
PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons
Place of PublicationAustralia
ISSN1442-7001
1839-3330
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/emr.12611
Web Address (URL)https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/emr.12611
Abstract

Many conservation problems remain intractable because of conflicting views between policymakers, managers, researchers, conservationists and community stakeholders. Novel approaches to resolving these conflicts are required to achieve conservation outcomes that are more broadly acceptable. The conservation and management of K'gari wongari (Fraser Island's Dingoes) is emblematic of such a situation. Here we describe the successful implementation of a novel approach to advancing one such formerly intractable issue – assessing the genetic health and status of the island's Dingoes to resolve latent conflicts and assist protected area managers with their conservation activities. We developed a participatory, independent approach centred on community workshops to identify research priorities, expert workshops to identify appropriate research methods, then the commissioning of independent scientific research to address community priorities in accordance with the experts' suggested methods. The overall aim of the project was to provide managers with robust and policy-ready information on the genetic health and status of the Dingoes – information that also met community expectations and was widely supported by subject matter experts. The participatory approach of the project achieved this aim and was completed successfully and satisfactorily for all involved despite the occurrence of some expected challenges and necessary compromises. Here we describe the background to the problem, how the project was designed, the key challenges the project faced during implementation, and the key learnings from the exercise, thereby highlighting its innovative features as a participatory conflict resolution process. This process could be applied to advance other conservation problems hampered by conflicting stakeholder views.

Keywordsadaptive management; conflict resolution; Dingo; genetic rescue; human–wildlife conflict; island conservation
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020410407. Wildlife and habitat management
Byline AffiliationsInstitute for Life Sciences and the Environment
Nelson Mandela University, South Africa
University of Queensland
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