Warning after spate of dingo attacks at Lake McKenzie on K’gari

A spate of dingo attacks at one of K’gari’s star attractions, Lake McKenzie, has prompted a fresh warning after another visitor was bitten this week.

A dingo (wongari) on K’gari.

A spate of dingo attacks at Lake McKenzie on K’gari has led to a fresh warning from authorities, urging visitors to be dingo safe.

The warning comes after a man was bitten on the calf in the Lake McKenzie carpark around noon on Sunday, the Department of Environment and Science said in a statement.

The man was walking from his car towards the middle-fenced picnic area when the tagged female dingo ran at him from behind and bit him on the back of the right calf.

He sustained a minor puncture wound as a result.

A dingo (wongari) at Eli Creek on K’gari.

The dingo moved away when he turned to face it and kicked sand at it.

Senior Ranger Linda Behrendorff said in a statement Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers were close by doing patrols at the time and responded quickly.

“Rangers observed the dingo continuing to walk around the carpark and loiter close to vehicles and people for about an hour before it returned to the bush,” the statement read.

“This is the fourth high risk dingo incident to occur in the Lake McKenzie area this year.

“Previous incidents include a child that was bitten in June, a lady that was lunged at in September and a lady that was bitten last month.

“QPWS rangers have increased patrols in the area and will be providing Be Dingo-safe! messaging to people visiting the lakes on the island.

“K’gari’s spectacular lakes are popular tourist destinations, but they are also popular areas for dingoes too.

“It is important that visitors only use the fenced picnic areas when eating or preparing food, and take no food or drinks, other than water, to the lake shores.

“Once you have finished eating, pack all remaining food, scraps, rubbish and dish cloths securely back inside the vehicle.

“Visitors and residents are also reminded to remain vigilant of their surroundings at all times, keep children within arm’s length, never walk alone and carry a stick at all times.”

All negative dingo encounters should immediately be reported to a QPWS ranger by calling 4127 9150 or emailing [e-mail].

Paul John Kirkcaldy pleaded guilty to taking an actual resource from a protected area and discharging a speargun in a recreational area when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Monday.

It comes little more than a week after a man was sentenced for discharging a speargun on the island and killing a juvenile male dingo.

Paul John Kirkcaldy, 57, pleaded guilty to taking an actual resource from a protected area and discharging a speargun in a recreational area when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

Magistrate Stephen Guttridge said it was a significant mitigating feature that Kirkcaldy had turned himself in for the offence, without which it may never have been detected.

He said he accepted Kirkcaldy did not intend to kill the dingo.

Kirkcaldy was ordered to perform 240 hours of community service.

He was also placed on two-years probation and fined $5000.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of $1500.

No conviction was recorded.