Rangers responding after young girl bitten on K’gari

Issued: 12 Jan 2024

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating an incident on at Hook Point on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) today (12 January) during which a young girl was bitten multiple times by a dingo.

The girl (under 10 years old) was swimming near adults. It’s understood a dingo approached her and bit the girl multiple times causing laceration and puncture wounds to her thigh and buttocks.

QPWS rangers are attempting to identify the dingo involved.

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

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 Butchulla rangers.

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

QPWS is also expanding 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
  • Never feed dingoes
  • Camp in fenced areas where possible
  • Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction
  • 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 Fraser Island dingoes.