Dingo euthanised
Issued: 10 Jun 2023
A dingo responsible for a string of high risk incidents on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) over the past few months has been humanely euthanised.
The most recent serious incidents included biting a 7 year old boy on 1 June and biting a 42 year old woman on 4 June.
In making this difficult decision, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) considered the views of the island’s Traditional Owners, the Butchulla people, as well as alternative options to managing the dingoes.
The dingo’s history presented a concerning pattern of negative interactions towards people with a series of threatening and high-risk interactions recorded including five high risk interactions.
Euthanising a high-risk dingo is a last resort, but this decision is in line with the Fraser Island Dingo Conservation and Risk Management Strategy and part of QPWS’s commitment to ensuring the safety of everyone who visits or lives on the island.
Dingoes that lose their natural wariness of people and become habituated may become aggressive while seeking food.
Visitors and residents are encouraged to report any negative dingo encounters to a QPWS ranger, or 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
- 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 K'gari dingoes.