Editor: fence a dingo reserve

EVERY time we report on a dingo incident on Fraser Island, I use this column to once again remind people that we must all take care when we go on the island.

Fraser Coast Chronicle editor Peter Chapman

EVERY time we report on a dingo incident on Fraser Island, I use this column to once again remind people that we must all take care when we set foot on the island.

And every time I do, the usual suspects write their letters trying to tell us that I have got it all wrong, and that dingoes will not attack unless provoked.

There is no doubt that the German tourist's escapade over the weekend was like someone going swimming off Perth wearing a seal suit.

That said, it once again served notice for us all to keep our distance from dingoes.

I don't buy the fact that these animals are misunderstood. I also don't buy the fact that they will not look for any opportunity to snatch a young child.

The push by dingo activists to dampen down warnings such as mine, only serves to place the general community at greater risk.

Let's treat the dingo on Fraser Island for what it really is, not for what people want it to be.

We are rolling the dice with the Fraser Island dingo packs and we need to look closely at how we are managing their interaction with the public.

It is not such a silly idea to isolate all dingoes to a certain part of the island and maintain feeding stations for them to ensure their survival.

Ban any camping in these areas, but let tour groups and visitors travel through the area to observe them in a natural habitat.

Sign-post the area clearly, warning all who venture in that they are entering an area which presents a danger to life.

Patrol the areas to ensure everyone is obeying the rules and heavily fine anyone who isn't, to send the message loud and clear.

A visit to Fraser Island should be a pleasurable experience, not one where you are worried if your campsite is safe and your children free from harm.

Let's move now and make this happen before another tragedy hits the front page of this paper.

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Originally published as Editor: fence a dingo reserve