Forests NSW wild dog trapper Mark Goldspink‟s talents have been featured in a national self-help DVD that shows farmers how to trap wild dogs and foxes.

Mr Goldspink, who is based at Tumbarumba, is one of seven professional dog trappers from a range of different environments around Australia who have contributed to the DVD.

The DVD 'Managing Vertebrate Pests - introduction to using foot hold traps for the capture of wild dogs and foxes' has been produced by the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre with assistance from the Australian Government's Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. 

The recently produced DVD is one of the resources being promoted by the CRCs PestSmart roadshow, which is visiting 17 venues across the country starting in Queanbeyan and ending in Townsville on 1 May.

Mr Goldspink has worked as Forests NSW Feral Animal Control officer for the past eight years and has an enviable record with no stock losses on farms bordering the State forests around Tumbarumba and Batlow where he patrols.

In addition, he has had no reports of any stock losses around Tallaganda State Forest near Braidwood and Badga State Forest near Cooma - an area he started to patrol three years.

Greg Mifsud, National Wild Dog Facilitator, Biosecurity Queensland, said the DVD includes State-by-State guides to regulations for the use of foot hold traps and provides a snapshot of proven tips and techniques from a variety of locations across Australia. 

“The DVD contains two hours of footage and was produced with the guidance of professional trappers such as
Mr Goldspink to enable landholders to confidently undertake trapping as part of integrated wild dog and fox control program,” he said. 

“Mr Goldspink's input into the DVD has provided farmers both locally and nationally with the opportunity to see first-hand the equipment he successfully uses to trap wild dogs.

“The DVD contains a range of information to assist landholders to set foot-hold traps in the most effective and legal manner.”

Mr Mifsud also advised landholders to call on the skills of professional trappers in areas where they are available. 

Copies of the DVD are available free of charge by contacting the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre on email: contact@invasiveanimals.com or (02) 6201 2887. 

Photo available from sarahc@sf.nsw.gov.au

Media contact: Sarah Chester (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.