Aussie was born on June 19th, 2011, and arrived at Wild Spirit with his family in April of 2013. The story of our Australian dingoes, Aussie, Glacier, and Uluru actually begins with their parents, Kooyong and Buckley, who were part of a breeding program overseen by the Dingo Discovery and Research Center in Australia, which has been an official conservation organization since 2007. The Centre finds zoos and sanctuaries outside of Australia that are willing to care for a breeding pair of dingoes and their offspring to help ensure that the species survives.

Occasionally, a breeding pair goes to a private home instead of a facility, as was the case for Kooyong and Buckley who went to live with a husband and wife in Florida. The couple gave their dingoes great care and eventually Kooyong had a litter of six pups! Unfortunately, while the dingoes were well cared for, the human family went through a rough patch. The husband tried to sell Kooyong’s pups and quickly found out that it was illegal. He then left his family, taking all their funds and leaving the dingoes.

Soon after, Buckley and his sons had a terrible fight that resulted in Buckley being euthanized due to devastating injuries. With tremendous sadness, the woman decided the remaining dingoes needed placement in new homes. Two of Kooyong’s pups found a home at a zoo, and the rest of the family came to us here at Wild Spirit.

Sadly, Kooyong passed away many years after their arrival, leaving the three brothers, Aussie, Glacier and Uluru to support one another.

Personality

Aussie was the shyest of our dingoes, often deferring to his brothers to approach Caretakers first. Though he was the most reserved, he would warm up to Caretakers given enough time and patience. Only those he trusted ever saw his affectionate side.

Relationships

The three brothers took guidance and cues from their mother, Kooyong. Upon her passing, Aussie lost much of the confidence he gained over the years, but Uluru and Glacier took up the mantel of “human-approval”. Aussie and Uluru, in particular, had a close bond, which made them inseparable during their time together at Wild Spirit.

Likes & Dislikes

Aussie liked his brother Uluru. He also liked perusing his enclosure to find the best stick to gnaw on, which he sometimes spent weeks caching and uncaching for his chewing pleasure.

Aussie disliked anyone trying to approach or pet him, unless it was on his terms. He choose his people scrupulously.