Authorities are urging visitors to be vigilant, bring children closer, walk in groups and carry sticks as dingo encounters continue to rise.
The 12-year-old was bitten by a dingo near Idney Rocks on Fraser Island, now known as K’Gari, marking the third reported attack in the last two months.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS) is investigating an incident that took place on January 16th around 12:15pm.
The boy was playing in shallow water with another child and an adult as the male dingo approached from behind and bitten his back.
A nearby fisherman hastily sought help and tried to stop the animal with a stick. The Dingo moved first, but chased the group back to the accommodation.
The group carried dingo sticks but placed them on nearby rocks before they entered the water.
The boy maintained a superficial puncture and laceration and was treated by paramedics.
Related Stories
Rangers who participated in the scene identified the dingo from the photos and provided safety information to the fishermen and staff at the private accommodation.
Recent incidents highlight an increased risk
This latest attack follows two other incidents in recent weeks. On January 26th, a two-year-old was bitten in the leg at a dingo in a parking lot at Lake Mackenzie (Boulanmura), resulting in a superficial injury.
Rangers were on the scene to provide emergency medical care and safety advice.
A week ago, on January 18th, a woman was bitten by her leg with a dingo in the same place, trying to stop the animal from taking the bag.
In response to the rise in cases, authorities are reminding visitors to Fraser Island to take extra precautions when they are in areas where dingo is prone to occur.
They urge parents to keep their children and young teenagers out of reach of their arms, always walk in groups and carry sticks for protection.
Senior Ranger Linda Belendorf spoke about the importance of carrying dingo sticks to keep your child close by.
“Some dingos target children because they are considered weak links in the pack. This is why it’s so important to keep them out of reach of their arms,” says Behrendorff. I did.
Dingo feeding is strictly prohibited and campers are encouraged to stay in fenced areas where possible. Running or jogging should also be avoided, as sudden movements can cause negative interactions with the animal.
Visitors are advised to keep food and ice boxes safe, even on boats, and not store food and food containers in their tents.
Proper disposal of trash, fish and food is essential to avoid attracting dingos to campsites. The fisherman also reminds him to move the dingo quickly and not allow him to remain nearby.
“During this busy long weekend, we’ve increased ranger patrols, but urge people to maintain parents with young children, especially young parents. Visitors should not be satisfied. Hmm. When traveling to K’Gari, people need to understand their risks. Our message is simple: Be Dingo-Safe!”
