Grey nomads visiting Fraser Island are being urged to be extra cautious of dingoes as whelping season gets underway.
Environment Minister Vicky Darling said visitors should consider staying in fenced campsites as dingo pups are weaned and leave their dens to learn how to hunt, find water and to socialise.
“More dingoes may be seen at this time, they may be more determined and aggressive in their search for food and adults will aggressively defend their young,” Ms Darling told the Fraser Coast Chronicle. “Learning to hunt is a vital part of the pups’ rearing and it is important to conserve the natural behaviour of dingoes by not interfering with them during this crucial stage of their lives.”
The overlap between the dingo whelping season and the holiday camping period could also lead to an increase in human-dingo encounters.
“Families with children are strongly urged to camp in fenced campgrounds at Central Station, Dundubara, Lake Boomanjin, Dilli Village and Waddy Point,” Mr Darling said. “Parents should ensure children are supervised at all times and should never allow them to walk alone as attacks could happen very quickly.”
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers will be visiting campgrounds and tourist spots to talk to visitors about dingo safety.
