Don't be fooled

PHOTOGRAPHS and footage showing people close to dingoes may lead to tragedy.

Channel Nine reporter Shane Doherty places himself at risk of being attacked by a dingo during coverage of the recent mauling of a German tourist.

PHOTOGRAPHS and footage showing people close to dingoes may lead to tragedy.

Experts have warned that tourists must not let images lull them into thinking the wild dogs were tame.

Saturday's terrifying attack on a German tourist has demonstrated the perils of getting close to the wild dogs. There is no doubt dingo habituation is at new levels.

Channel Nine reporter Shane Doherty was filmed with a dingo sniffing his knee while he covered the recent attack.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has issued countless warnings about the animals, with $300 on-the spot fines for human proximity.

Nine Queensland's news director Mike Dalton said the footage was aired to reinforce the government's warnings that dingoes have no fear of humans.

"It approached our crew; they did not approach it," he said.

"At no time did our crew try feeding the dingo or luring it in any other way to be in the shot."

The attack, its causes and the media coverage surrounding it have sparked a debate about just how close humans and dingoes should be.

Dingoes and humans now interact so closely on Fraser Island that it represents an ever-present threat to both.

Department of National Parks regional manager Ross Belcher said dingoes had lost their fear, with their bold behaviour a result of being fed by and exposed to humans.

Despite warnings relayed to tourists through campsite visits, brochures, signs, text messages, websites, and video presentations, the animals' increasing habituation has given visitors the false impression that dingoes are not wild animals.

But Saturday's attack that left a German tourist in hospital with bite wounds to every limb, and five other cases of threatening behaviour in April this year, have highlighted the need for humans to keep their distance.

A fence surrounding the K'Gari campground will be fast-tracked as a result of the incident, but fences alone may not be enough to prevent another tragedy.

"Several camping areas and resorts on the island already have dingo fences," Mr Belcher said.

"If people act with common sense and do not feed and otherwise interact with dingoes then they will be able to ensure that they have a safe and enjoyable visit to Fraser Island."

The case of Simon Stretton, who was fined $1200 last year for approaching and photographing dingoes, has highlighted just how seriously the issue is taken.

"To avoid incidents with dingoes, everyone should follow important dingo safety advice, including staying a safe distance from them," Mr Belcher said

"Fraser Island dingoes are wild, predatory animals that must not be confused with or treated as domestic pets."

While the department could not find evidence of deliberate feeding around the K'Gari campground, where Saturday's attack took place, Mr Belcher said rangers were targeting all campers in the area to make sure they did not give dingoes access to food, inadvertently or on purpose.

Fraser Coast mayor Gerard O'Connell said the attack should be a warning for tourists to "play it safe".

"Tourists have to remember that they are wild animals and need to be treated as such," he said. 

Originally published as Don't be fooled