Only one dingo has died: DERM

A FRASER Island dingo that died in agony in a scientific experiment is the only dingo to have suffered under existing government regimes, according to DERM.

DERM says the dingo that died had been restrained with a noose after being caught by the leg in a soft-jaw trap.

A FRASER Island dingo that died in agony in an officially sanctioned scientific experiment is the only dingo to have suffered under existing government regimes, according to the Department of Environment and Resource Management.

A freedom of information request by the Save Fraser Island Dingoes group revealed this week that the young dingo had suffered for a period of time before convulsing and dying on May 14 last year.

The dingo was snared by DERM officers using a pole noose after being caught in a leg trap.

The LNP yesterday backed outrage by Fraser Island conservation and indigenous leaders over the cruel death of a dingo.

Shadow environment minister Andrew Powell said the dingo's horrific death was "shocking evidence of cruelty under Labor's failed management of Fraser Island dingoes".

Butchulla elder Auntie Marie Wilkinson said she was outraged that a juvenile male dingo was "strangled to death in agonising circumstances".

She rejected claims by DERM officer Terry Harper that the dingo management strategy had indigenous support and challenged claims that the island's World Heritage Indigenous Advisory Committee "broadly represents the interests and aspirations of traditional owners".

The dingo's death was reviewed at the time by the Department of Environment and Resource Management's animal ethics committee, which includes external experts as well as community representation, DERM regional manager Ross Belcher said.

"All Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service officers and the contractor involved were very concerned about this dingo death.

"Around one thousand dingoes have been trapped on Fraser Island since 2001.

"This work includes the ear-tagging program as well as the current satellite tracking component of the population study," Mr Belcher said.

"Over this time and apart from this death, which occurred in May 2011, there have been no significant injuries to dingoes."

The dingo was trapped in a soft-jaw trap to be assessed for the fitting of a tracking collar.

Originally published as Only one dingo has died: DERM