Sisters run into Fraser Island dingo nightmare: ‘We stood tall and shoulder to shoulder’

A BRISBANE woman has spoken of the terrifying five minutes in which she and her sister were attacked by two dingoes on a beach at Fraser Island.

THE victim of a dingo attack on Fraser Island has told of her terror as she and her sister were lunged at and bitten by two dingoes.

Bay McGovern, a business analyst, and Tessa Kemp, a pharmacist, both from Brisbane, were on their regular morning run when they came across the two dingoes about 6.30am.

The sisters, both mothers-of-two, were about 1km from their holiday unit at Yidney Rocks when they slowed to a walk after the dingoes began watching them and growling.

“We knew it was bad. We stood tall and shoulder to shoulder and stayed still and stared them in the eye, which they say is the best thing to do,” Ms McGovern said.

“We were both scared so I think they could sense that.

“After 30 seconds or a minute they started circling around us so we went back-to-back so we were both facing outwards so we could see what they were doing.”

AUGUST 2014: Fraser Island dingo attack: Man injured on head, leg

FRASER ISLAND: Tourists taking selfies with dingoes blamed for attacks

One of the dingoes then launched at both sisters, managing to land three bites.

“(Tessa) wasn’t bleeding heaps but she had two puncture wounds on her left knee and like a 7cm gash just above her right knee,” Ms McGovern said.

Ms Kemp was taken to Hervey Bay Hospital, where she was expected to stay the night after undergoing surgery yesterday afternoon. Ms McGovern, who escaped with bruises, said the attack could have been far worse.

“Usually even at that time of the morning there’s cars going up and down the beach because there’s people out fishing and that sort of thing but there were no cars going past so we started screaming out at the top of our lungs for help.”

Two men came to their rescue – one in a 4WD, the other on foot – and managed to scare away the dingoes. Ms McGovern admitted she was shocked but stopped short of demanding the dingoes be put down.

“There’s probably some reason why an animal would do that. I’m not a big fan of randomly killing animals who are just acting in their natural environment but if that’s something that is a danger to people then someone has to make a choice about what the best thing is to do.”

Despite the ordeal, Ms McGovern said the sisters weren’t about to abandon the family’s annual trip they’ve been making for 30 years but said she wouldn’t go running along the beach again.

“We don’t swim in the ocean because of the sharks, but we never thought we would be attacked by dingoes on land. We are both mums and so glad it was us and not one of the kids. We won’t be jogging here any more.”

***************************************

Authorities have closed camp zones between Poyungan Rocks and Eli Creek until further notice. Picture: Glenn Barnes

CAMPING CLOSED BY CAUTIOUS RANGERS

RANGERS have stepped up patrols and closed camping zones after two female joggers were attacked by a pair of dingoes on a Fraser Island beach.

Asked about the fate of the dingoes involved, a Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service spokeswoman said the investigation was ongoing.

The exact number of dingoes on the island is unknown but believed to be between 50 and 200.

Following yesterday’s attack near Yidney Rocks, authorities closed camp zones between Poyungan Rocks and Eli Creek until further notice.

“Rangers have also spoken with people on the beach and gone from campsite to campsite educating people,” a QPWS spokeswoman said.

Minister for National Parks Steve Dickson reminded all visitors and residents to be “dingo safe”, saying Fraser Island’s dingoes were wild animals and “must be treated as such”.

Save Fraser Island Dingoes spokeswoman Cheryl Bryant has pleaded with authorities not to put down the animals involved.

“It’s not their fault. They were only doing what any predator would do in that situation,” she said. “When they see someone running they get excited by the movement and go for the heels.”

Ms Bryant said the two animals involved may have been juveniles learning how to hunt.

Wildlife advocate and local Julie Dunn said, despite the efforts of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, visitors to the island were “still not listening”.

“Rangers make all attempts to protect people and everyone must take responsibility to ensure the survival of dingoes,” she said. “The dingoes already have so much to contend with – natural elements, like ticks, or getting hit by vehicles.”

- Peter Hall, Kate McKenna