Dingo incident K’gari
Issued: 4 Feb 2021
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating reports of an attack by a wongari (dingo) on a nine-year old boy near the Orchid Beach township on K’gari (Fraser Island).
QPWS rangers are at the scene and the boy is receiving first aid for injuries to his legs and buttocks. The wongari responsible for the reported attack have been identified.
Rangers are seeking further information about the incident. Investigations are continuing, and no decisions have been made about the animals.
Previously, QPWS has used tracking collars to reduce negative interactions between wongari and people. When investigations have determined that wongari present an unacceptable risk to the public, decisions have been made to euthanise the animals.
Rangers have not observed any obvious health issues with the wongari population after the recent fires.
The health of the wongari that live on K’gari is constantly monitored by experienced rangers and the animals are observed to be in overall good health and have an abundance of natural food resources.
People are reminded to be dingo safe and not to feed or interact with the wongari, as this may contribute to their habituation and may have consequences.
Wongari that lose their natural wariness of people and become habituated may become aggressive while seeking food.
People are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any negative dingo encounters to a QPWS ranger or to phone 07 4127 9150 or email dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au as soon as possible.
Visitors to Fraser Island are reminded to be dingo safe at all times:
- Always stay close (within arm’s reach) of children and young teenagers
- Always walk in groups
- Camp in fenced areas where possible
- Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction
- Never feed dingoes
- Lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat)
- Never store food or food containers in tents, and
- Secure all rubbish, fish and bait.
Find more information on Fraser Island dingoes.