Authorities have urged K’gari visitors to stay vigilant, keep children close, walk in groups, and carry a stick as dingo encounters continue to rise.
A 12-year-old boy was bitten by a dingo near Yidney Rocks on K’gari, previously known as Fraser Island, marking the third reported attack in the last two months.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating the incident, which took place around 12:15 p.m. on Jan. 16.
The boy had been playing in shallow water with another child and an adult when a male dingo approached from behind and bit him on the back.
Nearby fishers rushed to help, attempting to deter the animal with a stick. Although the dingo initially moved away, it followed the group back to their accommodation.
The group had been carrying a dingo stick but had left it on nearby rocks before entering the water.
The boy sustained superficial puncture wounds and a laceration and was treated by paramedics.
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Rangers who attended the scene identified the dingo from photographs and provided safety information to fishers and staff at the private accommodation.
Recent Incidents Highlight Growing Risk
This latest attack follows two other incidents in recent weeks. On Jan. 26, a two-year-old child was bitten on the leg by a dingo in the car park at Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora), resulting in a superficial injury.
Rangers were on-site to provide first-aid care and safety advice.
A week earlier, on Jan. 18, a woman was bitten on the leg by a dingo at the same location while attempting to stop the animal from taking her bag.
In response to the increasing number of incidents, authorities are reminding visitors to K’gari to take extra precautions when in dingo-prone areas.
They urge parents to keep children and young teenagers within arm’s reach, always walk in groups, and carry a stick for protection.
Senior Ranger Linda Behrendorff talked about the importance of carrying a dingo stick and keeping children close.
“Some dingoes will target children because they are seen as the weaker links of the pack. This is why it is so important to keep children within arm’s reach,” Behrendorff said.
Feeding dingoes is strictly prohibited, and campers are encouraged to stay in fenced areas where possible. Running or jogging should also be avoided, as sudden movement can provoke negative interactions with the animals.
Visitors are advised to securely store food and iceboxes, even on boats, and to never keep food or food containers inside tents.
Proper disposal of rubbish, fish, and bait is essential to avoid attracting dingoes to campsites. Fishers are also reminded to move dingoes on immediately and not allow them to linger nearby.
“We have increased our ranger patrols during this busy long weekend period, but urge people to remain vigilant, particularly parents with young children. Visitors must not be complacent. People need to understand their risk when travelling to K’gari. Our message is simple: Be dingo-safe!”
