Visitors to Lake McKenzie urged to Be Dingo-Safe!
Issued: 6 November 2024
Rangers on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) are urging visitors to be dingo safe at all times after a recent spate of high-risk dingo incidents at Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora).
The warning comes after a man was bitten on the calf in the Lake McKenzie carpark around noon on Sunday (3 November 2024).
The man was walking from his car towards the middle fenced picnic area when the tagged female dingo ran at him from behind and bit him on the back of the right calf. He sustained a minor puncture wound as a result.
The dingo moved away when he turned to face it and kicked sand at it.
QPWS Senior Ranger Linda Behrendorff said Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers were close by doing patrols at the time and responded quickly.
“Rangers observed the dingo continuing to walk around the carpark and loiter close to vehicles and people for about an hour before it returned to the bush,” she said.
“This is the fourth high risk dingo incident to occur in the Lake McKenzie area this year. Previous incidents include a child that was bitten in June, a lady that was lunged at in September and a lady that was bitten last month.
“QPWS rangers have increased patrols in the area and will be providing Be Dingo-safe! messaging to people visiting the lakes on the island.
“K’gari’s spectacular lakes are popular tourist destinations, but they are also popular areas for dingoes too.
“It is important that visitors only use the fenced picnic areas when eating or preparing food, and take no food or drinks, other than water, to the lake shores.
“Once you have finished eating, pack all remaining food, scraps, rubbish and dish cloths securely back inside the vehicle.
“Visitors and residents are also reminded to remain vigilant of their surroundings at all times, keep children within arm’s length, never walk alone and carry a stick at all times.”
All negative dingo encounters should immediately be reported to a QPWS ranger by calling 07 4127 9150 or emailing dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au.
QPWS carries out constant education and compliance activities on K’gari. Rangers maintain fences at multiple camping areas, conduct daily patrols of the island and respond to human-dingo interactions on a case-case basis.
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 and carry a stick
- Never feed dingoes
- Camp in fenced areas where possible
- Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction
- 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 dingoes.