Data shows 70 per cent of dangerous dingo interactions on K’gari involved children

Authorities are pleading with K’gari visitors to learn dingo safety as data shows 70 per cent of dangerous interactions between people and the animals last year involved children.

A dingo on K’gari.

New data has revealed 70 per cent of the most dangerous interactions with dingoes on K’gari in the past year have involved children.

The data was released by the Department of Environment and Science after an analysis of 2023 code D and code E interactions.

Code D interactions involve threatening dingo behaviour, such as growling, snarling and stalking, while code E is high risk behaviour, that includes bailing-up, lunging, nipping and biting.

It comes after a spate of dingo attacks involving children on the island in recent weeks.

In an incident earlier this month, a dingo ran at two boys who were washing sand off in the mouth off a creek, biting one.

Senior ranger Linda Behrendorff said the analysis of the 2023 Code D and Code E incidents reported to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation showed the risks.

“In 2023, visitors and residents reported 209 code D interactions and 35 code E interactions compared to 80 code D interactions and five code E interactions in 2022,” Ms Behrendorff said.

A dingo on K’gari.

Last year, Sarah Peet was running on the island when she was attacked, suffering up to 30 bite marks and a deep cut to her upper arm.

Another French visitor was also bitten on the bottom last year as she sunbathed, only days after a child was dragged underwater in another incident on the island.

Tourist bitten in string of dingo attacks on K'gari. Picture: Department of Environment and Science

“Where possible, rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service interview witnesses or the people involved in these threatening and high-risk interactions.

“That information is used to help manage and prevent the risk to humans and the dingo population by increasing education, temporary closures and patrols of hotspots where interactions are occurring.

K'Gari dingo attack victim Sarah Peet is recovered in Hervey Bay Hospital after being attacked while running on the island last year.

“Our analysis has shown the most dangerous and risky interactions involved children, with 103 of the 244 code D and code E incidents involving children or young teenagers.

Of the 35 code E incidents, 21 involved a child, so it is extremely important to keep children within arm’s reach.

“We understand people’s perceptions of the risk differs, but the evidence is very clear that children are more vulnerable, even when they are a short distance away from their parents or carers,” Ms Behrendorff said.

“A common reflection of people involved in negative incidents was that they didn’t realise dingoes could move so quickly or that it wouldn’t happen to them.”

Ms Behrendorff said dingoes were extremely opportunistic, dangerous wild animals and often hunted in packs.

“Visitors and residents on K’gari must be vigilant at all times and I encourage everyone to follow the Be Dingo-Safe! rules and keep children under constant supervision,” she said.

“We’re asking residents and visitors to the island to prioritise their own safety and the safety of their family and friends by using fenced camping areas, walk with a stick and walk in groups.

“We care about your safety, so make sure you know your risks before you get to the island and listen to the advice of rangers regarding supervision of children and young teenagers.”

People are encouraged to Be dingo-safe! and report any negative dingo encounters to a QPWS ranger or phone [phone] or email [e-mail] as soon as possible.

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