Just weeks after a leading researcher warned that the behaviour of dingoes was changing as drought created a scarcity of food, visitors on Queensland’s Fraser Island have been spotted feeding the wild animals.
Earlier this month, Dr Brad Purcell warned that attacks on people were ‘normally associated with dingoes that have become accustomed to humans’ … but it seems the message is still not getting through.
On Fraser Island, campers have just reported seeing a four-wheel drive stop near a dingo and a person throw chips out of the window.
“No registration details were obtained by witnesses to allow for further investigation,” said a Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service spokeswoman. “But visitors should be warned that substantial fines apply for this illegal behaviour.”
The News-Mail reports that feeding dingoes on Fraser is illegal and incurs hefty fines as it encourages the animals to interact with people, which can turn dangerous.
To reduce risk around dingoes while on Fraser Island, the official advice is:
So far on Fraser Island this year, dingoes have been involved in one high-risk interaction and 23 interactions featuring threatening behaviour.
Dr Purcell said earlier this month that anyone worried about dingoes should either carry a sharp stick or something noisy to scare the animals away.
According to the Australian & Pacific Science Foundation, the Australian dingo is currently endangered and threatened with extinction. The threat is predominantly due to hybridisation with domestic dogs, inbreeding, hunting, government ‘wild dog’ eradication programs and loss of genetic fitness. Dingoes are now considered to be native Australian mammals and are protected in many regions.
These beautiful sacred wild creatures should be highly respected and could be fed kangaroo meat by the so called officials instead leaving them to starve to death. It is disgusting that people are allowed to drive 4×4 vehicles on the beach and disrupt the dingo ‘s lifestyle which is so unfair in every aspect. I love dingoes. Also a great admirer of Jennifer parkinson who tried her best to protect them.