are dingoes safe to be around ?

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K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) remains one of Australia's most iconic destinations, but recent events have highlighted the serious risks associated with its wild inhabitants. As of January 2026, the island is facing heightened scrutiny following tragic incidents involving the local dingo population, known as wongari.
Current News & Recent Incidents
The most recent and distressing news occurred just this week, on January 19-20, 2026. A 19-year-old Canadian woman was found dead on a beach near the Maheno shipwreck, surrounded by a pack of dingoes. While authorities are still investigating whether she drowned before the dingoes reached her or was a victim of an attack, the incident has led to the closure of several campsites and increased ranger patrols.
This follows a string of incidents throughout 2025:
October 2025: A six-year-old boy was bitten on the head and body while with his grandfather on the beach.
May 2025: A nine-year-old boy was attacked at Yidney Rocks, leading to the eventual euthanasia of the dingo involved.
Dangers of Staying on K'gari
Beyond the dingoes, K'gari is a rugged wilderness with several natural hazards:
Ocean Dangers: Swimming on the eastern beaches is highly discouraged due to strong sweeps, sharks (Great Whites and Bulls), and venomous marine stingers (Irukandji) during summer.
Driving Hazards: The "highway" is a beach. Rollovers are common due to soft sand, washouts, and hidden "coffee rock" outcrops.
Environmental Risks: Unstable sand cliffs and inland venomous snakes or spiders (including the K'gari funnel-web) are present.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Children
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) operates under a "Be Dingo-Safe" policy. The following rules are critical:
1. For Children and Teenagers
Within Arm's Reach: Never let a child or young teenager wander alone. They must be within arm's length at all times.
Fenced Camping: If you are travelling with children under 14, it is strongly recommended—and in some areas required—to stay in fenced campgrounds (e.g., Central Station, Dundubara, or Waddy Point).
No Running: Children's high-pitched voices and running can trigger a dingo's "chase" instinct.
2. General Safety Rules
Carry a Stick: Always walk with a "dingo stick" (an umbrella or walking pole) to act as a deterrent.
Walk in Groups: Dingoes are less likely to approach a larger, cohesive group.
Secure Your Food: Dingoes can open iceboxes and even tent zippers. Lock all food, rubbish, and scented items (like toothpaste) inside your vehicle—never in your tent.
3. If Approached by a Dingo
Do Not Run: This is the most dangerous thing you can do.
Stand Tall: Face the animal, fold your arms, and maintain eye contact.
Back Away: Move calmly toward your vehicle or a fenced area while still facing the dingo.
The Dingo as a Protected Animal
It is important to understand that the K'gari dingo is not a "stray dog"—it is a protected native species under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
Genetic Purity: The dingoes on K'gari are considered some of the purest strains in Australia because they haven't interbred with domestic dogs.
Ecological Role: As the island's apex predator, they are vital to the ecosystem.
Legal Protection: It is a serious criminal offence to feed, touch, or intentionally disturb a dingo. Fines for feeding dingoes (even inadvertently by leaving scraps out) can exceed $2,600 on the spot, with maximum court penalties reaching over $27,000.
Rangers only euthanise dingoes as a "last resort" when an animal has become so habituated to humans that it poses a lethal risk. By following the rules, visitors help prevent the dingoes from becoming aggressive, which ultimately protects both the people and the animals.

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