Attention Nyamba Buru Yawuru, 
 
We the people of Broome urge you to cease the use of 1080 poison immediately within the Yawuru Country. The use of this poison has been banned in most countries, and rightfully so. The odourless and tasteless poison is easily ingested by countless other animals which are not intended to be targeted, including companion animals, native and protected species. Its victims – intended or otherwise – experience a slow and agonising death that includes:
 
Restlessness; increased hyperexcitability; incontinence or diarrhea; excessive salivation; abrupt bouts of vocalization;  sudden bursts of violent activity; seizures while they squeal, crawl around and bite at objects, and rapid but laboured breathing. These symptoms can last for hours before the animal finally begins to somewhat relax, breathing more slowly and shallow, but it remains in a semiparalysed state until it dies. It is without question that 1080 poison inflicts great pain and suffering on its victims. The physical pain endured over the many hours before death, the terror, fear and anxiety felt by these animals is unimaginable. 
 
If the suffering isn't enough, we implore you to consider our diverse ecosystems which are under threat with the use of 1080. The poison is toxic to all living species, including microbes, plants, insects, birds, and humans. 1080 not only has devastating consequences for the animals who directly consume it, but it also affects the surrounding environment and its inhabitants. Scavengers and carnivores are killed through secondary poisoning when they feed upon 1080 affected carcasses. In addition, poisoned animals may contaminate nearby waterways. Even faecal contamination of waterways by  wallabies killed by 1080  has been raised as an issue in parliamentary enquiries. Since the poison is highly soluble, it  spreads very quickly through water and up food chains. In an area with torrential rains and evident flooding, in significant wetlands and intertidal areas, this poses an even bigger risk.  
 
Taking all this into consideration, we hope you can see the practice of baiting with 1080 is cruel, dangerous and goes against Yawuru's very own conservation plans to protect our biodiversity. 
 
There are other ways to maintain dingoes and other ‘pest’ animals. Humane, long-term population-control techniques do exist. Possible solutions include direct hunting which can be targeted to specific animals and reduce suffering, improved fencing, or  immuno-contraception for target animals. In one European study, a long-lasting fertility suppressant succeeded in establishing an  89% reduction in the fertility of feral female goats  that lasted for at least two years after treatment.  
 
Using dangerous chemicals such as 1080 that leave animals to die slowly in terror and agony, while risking our ecosystems is not an acceptable practice, which is why the community of Broome asks you to please invest in alternative methods and cease the use of 1080 immediately.