Grey nomads and other visitors to Fraser Island, also known as K’gari, are being warned to remain vigilant following another dingo attack there.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) says the incident happened on April 23 at Awinya Creek on the western side of the island.
A family were packing up to leave and two boys, who were covered in sand, were told to wash off in the creek.
As the boys washed off at the mouth of the creek, a dingo ran straight at the boys, who screamed and ran towards their parents.
The dingo bit the 10-year-old on the back of his leg, leaving minor injuries including a scratch and bruising to his lower right calf muscle.
A dingo on Fraser Island. PIC: Department of Environment and Science
The boy’s parents treated the injury and he did not require further medical assistance.
Rangers believe they have identified the dingo, and patrols have been increased in the area.
Visitors and residents on K’gari are reminded to remain vigilant at all times by keeping children at arm’s length, never walking alone and carrying a stick at all times.
Dingoes should be expected anywhere on the island, and visitors are warned that the animals are fast and dangerous.
QPWS carry out constant education and compliance activities on K’gari. Rangers maintain fences at multiple camping areas, conduct daily patrols of the island and respond to human-dingo interactions on a case-case basis.
The Queensland Government is investing an additional $2 million in funding this financial year and an additional $3 million annually ongoing to expand our proactive Be dingo-safe! messaging and support 13 new positions dedicated to dingo conservation and management.
Visitors to K’gari are reminded to ‘Be dingo-safe!’ at all times:
# Have you ever had a frightening encounter with a dingo on Fraser Island, or elsewhere? Comment below.
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March of this year a group of us camped in a non-fenced camping ground at Waddy Point in tents. Our tent was ripped apart twice and the air mattress punctured. Fortunately we were away the first time and not while we were inside and we repaired the tent with duct tape. We were standing only about 15 metres away from the tent the second time. We were very careful to not leave food in or around the tent and in fact left the tent unzipped so they could go inside and check it out. The tent and mattress were beyond repair.
They were not afraid of waving sticks to keep them away and the pack of about seven animals came very close about 1-2 metres many times, it was at times intimidating as you had to keep looking behind your back when 3 or 4 were around you. It does not surprise me that an attack has happened and it is only a matter of time before another vulnerable individual is badly mauled or worse.
Last week we watched a free to air episode of the TV series ”Australia’s Islands” hosted by British actor Martin Clunes (Doc Martin).
It showed him on Fraser Island feeding the Dingoes.
Not a good example!
The Dingo”s have eaten out the food supply. It is a Island. They need to be relocated to the Mainland. Not sure why they can”t see that. Can only get worse.
I wonder how long it will be before Fraser Island closes down campers in unfenced campsites altogether. I just hope and pray that it will not happen because of another death to these wild animals. People do not seem to understand that they are in the Animal’s environment and it’s territory. These animals hunt in packs and live on their wits and skills. So many people seem to underestimate the ability of these dogs, they are fast, cunning, and hungry.
Dingos are not to be trusted and be very wary of – yet we see Martin Clunes on his video Islands of Australia shaking the paw of what appears to be a dingo – if he can, why can’t I. NOT A GOOD PROMOTION.
I agree with Don below – the dingoes now need to be rehomed into areas more suited for their natural hunting capabilities-not the easy pickings from humans.
The Martin Clunes show with him feeding what seemed to be a dingo is exceptionally bad publicity I am quite surprised the “authorities” did not a) inform him and the crew as to correct behavior, b)stop this going to air (tho. I think out of their control)
Anyway poor show!
Hi Guys
Martin Clunes was not on Fraser Island he was on Restoration Island in far north Qld and by the way it was the only Dingo on the Island
Get your fact straight!!!