‘Stalking’ dingo fitted with GPS collar after breaching K’gari fences

A high-risk dingo has been fitted with a GPS collar after it breached fences on K’gari and stalked visitors on the island.

A high-risk dingo has been fitted with a GPS tracking collar on K’gari after reports the animal was stalking visitors after breaching a fenced area. 

The dingo was fitted with the collar last week and will wear it for the next two months so rangers can track her movements and identify where the animal is breaching fence lines.

“The collar will provide regular updates that will help rangers with risk mitigation activities such as increased patrolling and education of people around her,” Dr Linda Behrendorff from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said.

“It will also hopefully help pinpoint the specific location where the dingo is entering the fenced area, so rangers can then prevent that access.

A high-risk dingo has been fitted with a GPS collar on K'gari.

“Rangers have spent considerable time maintaining the fence line and monitoring the dingo’s movements daily. 

“We have received regular reports about the dingo’s high-risk behaviour, which includes stalking and dominance testing. 

“Previous research has shown that people tend to keep their distance from collared dingoes, and visitors to the Eurong area are reminded to Be dingo-safe! at all times. 

“This includes always carrying a stick, never walking alone and parents and carers keeping their children close at all times. 

“Rangers will continue to provide Be dingo-safe! education to residents and visitors, and I remind people to report all negative dingo interactions to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

A high-risk dingo has been fitted with a GPS collar on K'gari.

“Collars have been used on K’gari since 2011 for various reasons including research and to track high risk dingoes, and camera collars were used to provide unique insight to their actions and their movements. 

“Tracking collars are used in other countries to assist in managing animal/human interactions, and this one will automatically drop off after two months. 

“Previously, the tracking collars have not disadvantaged or restricted the dingoes, but experienced rangers will closely monitor its condition across the next two months.”

Three dingoes were destroyed on K’gari last year after dangerous interactions with people.

In January, another dingo was euthanised following a series of attacks on children at Hook Point.