Two of Healesville Sanctuary's Alpine Dingoes have just turned seven.

Kuma and Manuka were bred at the Australian Dingo Conservation Association and arrived at the Sanctuary five weeks later. They have lived here since, except for a few sleepovers at Werribee Open Range Zoo during the recent February bushfires when the Sanctuary was under threat.

The Victorian Government has declared the Dingo a threatened species. We support this important decision because the purebred Dingo is in danger of extinction in Victoria due to interbreeding with domestic and wild dogs.

Interbreeding and loss of habitat remain the greatest threats to the pure Dingo population. The Dingo is not a feral predator. In fact, the Dingo plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting Australia's wildlife ecosystems.

Dingoes have a positive impact on the conservation of small native animals by keeping numbers of introduced species like fox and feral cat down. They also help keep kangaroo and wallaby populations at sustainable levels.

Changes to the landscape and native habitat as a result of human activity have put many unique Australian species at risk. Over the past 200 years many animals have become extinct. For the other species whose survival is threatened, a range of management and conservation measures is in place.

Specialists here at Healesville Sanctuary are using their skills and experience to fight to preserve these irreplaceable species. Healesville Sanctuary is currently managing threatened species programs for Tasmanian Devils, Brush Tailed Rock Wallabies, Mountain Pygmy-possums, Orange Bellied Parrots and Helmeted Honeyeaters.

Healesville Sanctuary is one of Victoria's leading tourist attractions, last year attracting more than 300,000 visitors, including 90,000 from abroad. Although animals were evacuated from the Sanctuary during the Victorian bushfires and staff put on high alert, we welcome you back to the Yarra Valley and to meet the Kuma and Manuka, who are walked daily and interact freely with visitors.

Find out more about Dingoes here