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Paw-fect party planned for Ipswich Nature Centre’s dingoes

The Ipswich Nature Centre’s pure alpine dingoes Lola and Moose are turning four-years-old on 28 May.

Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Russell Milligan said the Ipswich Nature Centre is an established visitor favourite with more than 200 animals including apex predators Lola and Moose, who will celebrate their birthdays in style.

“Lola and Moose have lived at Ipswich Nature Centre since they were 13-weeks-old, and we are looking forward to giving them a special day on Saturday 28 May that will include their favourite treat – Schmackos,” Cr Milligan said.

Ipswich Nature Centre handler Darcy Bannah looking after the dingo pups in 2018.

“They may be adults now, but they are both still puppies at heart and full of character,” Cr Milligan said.

“Lola and Moose both have a number of favourite games they enjoy playing including burying the bone, chasing games, paint the zookeepers with mud, walks around the zoo and swims in the pond.

“After their birthday celebrations they will get an extra-long walk around the centre and the chance to dip their paws in the pond along the way.

“They are both active and love attention from visitors with Moose usually found sitting on top of the big log watching people go past, and Lola’s favourite spot is curled up asleep inside the log.”

Dingos (Canis dingo) have been roaming Australia for a long time, the earliest undisputed archaeological finding of the Dingo in Australia has been dated to 3,500 years ago. They play an important role in ecological function as Australia’s only terrestrial top predator (top of the food chain).

They have been instrumental in regulation of many species such as kangaroos, rabbits, foxes and cats, therefore naturally promoting ecosystem balance. But they also face continued attempt of eradication from hunting.

Consequently, they are under severe threat of extinction, particularly along the south-eastern coast of Australia, where agricultural and urban development’s dominate.

The Dingo has been listed as vulnerable with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (ICUN).

Dingoes rarely bark. They tend to howl, particularly at night in an effort to attract pack members or to ward off intruders.

The main threat to dingoes today comes from their contact with domestic dogs from interbreeding between the two leading to a dilution of the gene pool.

Learn more about dingoes here.

The Ipswich Nature Centre is located at Queens Park, Goleby Avenue, Ipswich.

Entry is free but donations are welcome to go towards the care of the animals.

  • Tuesday to Sunday – 9.30am to 4pm
  • School Holidays – Open seven days – 9.30am to 4pm
  • Public Holidays – 9.30am to 4pm
  • Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday

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