page_title: Domestic sheep predation
section_title: Australia and New Zealand
hierarchical_section_title: Domestic sheep predation / By region / Australia and New Zealand
caption_attribution_description: One of several rams and wethers that were killed during an attack by two pig (hunting) dogs, Walcha, NSW.
context_page_description: Along with parasites and disease, predation is a threat to sheep health and consequently to the profitability of sheep raising. Sheep have very little ability to defend themselves, even when compared with other prey species kept as livestock. Even if sheep are not directly bitten or survive an attack, they may die from panic or from injuries sustained.
  However, the impact of predation varies dramatically with region. In Africa, Australia, the Americas, and parts of Europe and Asia predators can be a serious problem. In contrast, some nations are virtually devoid of sheep predators. Many islands that are known for extensive sheep husbandry are suitable largely because of their predator-free status.
  Worldwide, canids—including the domestic dog—are responsible for the majority of sheep deaths. Other animals that prey on sheep include: felines, bears, birds of prey, ants, bats, moths, feral hogs, rats, gophers, sharks, and hyenas. Sheep deaths have even been attributed to cryptids such as the Chupacabra, big cats in Britain, and the Drekavac.
context_section_description: The main Australian predator of sheep is the dingo, which is a large-enough danger to sheep to precipitate the construction of the world's largest fence: the Dingo Fence. Red foxes, also, may prey on 10-30% of lambs, costing Australians sheep breeders more than A$100 million annually. 
  Annual baiting programs are conducted to reduce the number of dingoes and foxes. Uncontrolled domestic dogs also regularly menace and kill sheep. Occasionally wedge-tailed eagles will kill young sheep up to and including hogget size sheep. In contrast, New Zealand has no remaining large carnivores. The only wild animal known to attack sheep in New Zealand is the rare, unusual kea parrot endemic to the country's South Island. Also, feral dogs have been a problem.
  Prior to their extinction in Tasmania the thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus), also called the Tasmanian tiger, was also a major predator of sheep.
caption: One of several rams and wethers that were killed during an attack by domestic dogs.
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