Rangers investigating after girl bitten on K’gari

Issued: 4 Jan 2024

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating a Code E incident on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) that left a seven-year-old girl with puncture wounds to her thigh.

On 4 January 2024, a family was waiting for the barge at Hook Point and observed a dingo (wongari) loitering around the barge landing.

The mother exited the vehicle to take photos of the dingo, and was unaware that her children had also gotten out of the vehicle.

The dingo approached the girl, who became frightened and ran. The dingo followed and bit the girl on the thigh before nearby people chased the dingo away.

QPWS rangers are investigating the incident and are attempting to identify the dingo involved.

The parents advised rangers that they would be taking their child for medical treatment once they returned to the mainland.

Visitors and residents on K’gari are reminded to Be Dingo-Safe! and to keep children under constant supervision on K’gari.

To help boost public safety on K’gari, the Queensland Government is investing an additional $2 million in funding this financial year and an additional $3 million annually ongoing.

The funding will create jobs for an additional six QPWS rangers, three specialist staff and four additional Indigenous rangers in partnership with the Traditional Owners, the Butchulla People.

The addition of new rangers to the island will increase face-to-face information sessions and enhanced management and monitoring of wongari that exhibit threatening and high-risk behaviour.

QPWS will also expand proactive Be dingo-safe! messaging to help educate tourists when they purchase camping permits, and at strategic locations on the island.

Anyone with information about dingo incidents is encouraged to contact a QPWS ranger by calling 07 4127 9150.

People are encouraged to Be dingo-safe! 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 K’gari 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 and carry a stick
• 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.

For more information go to About K'gari (Fraser Island) dingoes.