Grim warning for tourists after dingo chases and bites young boy while he washes at idyllic holiday spot

Rangers have again warned visitors to be vigilant after a 10-year-old boy was bitten by a dingo at K’gari, the Queensland tourist destination formerly known as Fraser Island.

The boy was packing with his family after visiting Awinya Creek on the west side of the island on April 23.

The boy and his brother were covered in sand and had to wash in the creek, the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said in a news release.

“As the boys were washed away at the mouth of the creek, a dingo ran straight towards the boys, who screamed and ran to their parents,” the statement said.

‘The dingo bit the 10-year-old on the back of the leg, leaving minor injuries including a scratch and bruises to his lower right calf muscle.

“The boy’s parents treated the injury and he required no further medical attention.”

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) was notified of the incident on April 29 due to problems with telephone reception on K’gari.

Patrols in the area have increased and rangers believe they have identified the dingo in question.

There have been several reports of dingo bites on the island this year, while two other children have been bitten in separate incidents this month.

The department said QPWS conducted “constant education and compliance activities on K’gari.”

“Rangers maintain fences at multiple campsites, conduct daily patrols of the island and respond to human-dingo interactions on a case-by-case basis,” the report said.

The ministry said the government would invest an additional $2 million in funding this financial year and a further $3 million annually on an ongoing basis to expand its dingo safety messaging and support 13 new positions dedicated to conservation and management of dingoes.

“The Fraser Island Dingo Conservation and Risk Management Strategy was reviewed in 2020 by Queensland’s chief scientist, with the assistance of a panel of experts, and found to be comprehensive and effective,” the report said.

The department said parents and caregivers should expect to see dingoes all over the island and be aware that dingoes are fast and dangerous and that children and young teenagers are more vulnerable.

It reminded visitors to K’gari to be ‘dingo safe’ at all times, including by:

– always remain within easy reach of children and young teenagers;

– always walk in groups and carry a stick;

– camping on fenced grounds where possible;

– avoiding running or jogging, which can cause negative dingo interactions;

– never feed dingoes;

– locking down food supplies and cool boxes (even on a boat);

– never store food or food containers in tents, and

– securing all waste, fish and bait.

Negative dingo encounters should be reported to a QPWS ranger by calling 07 4127 9150 or emailing [email protected].