Protecting Native Wildlife and Habitats

We understand that your dog is part of your family, and it’s natural to want to bring them along on your adventures. However, there are important reasons why dogs (and other pets) aren’t allowed in Western Australia’s national parks and conservation reserves.

Here’s why:

1. Native Animals and Their Habitats
   The presence of dogs can cause stress to native animals, who rely on the safety of their habitats. The sight, sound, and scent of a dog may disturb local wildlife, forcing them to abandon their homes and leave their young unprotected.
   • This has been seen particularly on the beach where nesting birds have been frightened off their newly hatched chicks when a playful pup tries to investigate. In some cases, the parents may not return to raise their chick.
2. Poisonous Baits
   To control fox populations in conservation areas, 1080 baits are often used. These baits are lethal to domestic animals, including dogs, which makes it dangerous to bring pets into areas where they may encounter these hazards.
   • It is not only the actual baits that are dangerous, these baits can be ingested by our South West Australian Native animals as they have evolved with the poison, meaning that they may ingest the baits and dispose of them in their faeces, which could be eaten by your pet.
   • Some animals may transport the baits outside of the original drop location, so you can never trust that food found in the bush could be safe for your pet.
3. Safety Risks
   The natural environment poses dangers to dogs. They may encounter venomous snakes or other animals like kangaroos or goannas that could defend themselves if they feel threatened, potentially injuring your dog.
4. Conservation and Legal Reasons
   It’s an offence to bring domestic animals into lands managed under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984, and penalties apply.

While pets are not permitted in parks, there are exceptions for assistance animals and specific circumstances, such as:

• Certified Assistance Animals – If your animal is a certified assistance animal, you are permitted to bring it into the park.
• Marine Parks – Dogs may travel in a boat through marine parks but must not leave the boat or touch land.
• Driving Through Parks – If you need to drive through a park because there is no other practical access for your journey, you can take your animal across a park.
• However you must not stop in a park and must keep your animal inside the vehicle while travelling through a park.
• Dogs should never be left in vehicles unattended in national parks.
• Download the Pet Owners Beware brochure here.

For more information on pet-friendly areas around Pemberton or alternative ways to explore the region with your pet, check out our “Where you can stay and / or go with your pet”.