Rangers investigating dingo incidents on K’gari
Issued: 12 Dec 2023
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating two high risk incidents on K’gari involving an untagged dingo and children.
On Sunday 10 December 2023, a five-year-old girl was bitten on the thigh and received lacerations and bruising near Wathumba beach around 3pm.
Witnesses said the girl ran from a large group of people near the sand flats, and a nearby dingo ran at full speed toward her and nipped her on the thigh.
The girl stopped running, then became scared and ran as people were running toward her, and the dingo followed and bit her on the thigh.
An adult grabbed the girl and waved their hat to ward of the dingo, which moved away a few metres until other adults intervened and it moved on.
The girl received a laceration and bite to her thigh that was treated by a doctor camping on the island.
On Monday 11 December 2023, rangers were patrolling the beach at Wathumba and delivering Be Dingo-safe messaging when they noticed a 7-year-old boy away from his family.
A dingo that had been sleeping under a vehicle began walking toward the boy with intent, and the boy became scared and ran.
The dingo ran at speed toward the boy as rangers ran through the water and the parents also ran for the boy. The dingo lunged, attempting to bite but did not make contact.
QPWS rangers provided assistance to both families, and are attempting to identify the dingo and determine if the same animal was involved in both incidents.
Visitors and residents on K’gari are reminded to keep children under constant supervision.
Anyone with further information 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
- 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 (formerly Fraser Island) dingoes.