Dingoes in 100 island attacks

DINGOES have been responsible for almost 100 attacks on Fraser Island over the past 10 years, according to figures released by the Environment Department.

Picture: Fraser Coast Chronicle

DINGOES have been responsible for almost 100 attacks on Fraser Island over the past 10 years, according to startling figures released by the Environment Department.

Since the current monitoring regime began in 2002, 98 dangerous dingo attacks have been recorded on the island.

Numerous attacks occurred before 2002, including a mauling that led to the death of nine-year-old Clinton Gage and injuries to his younger brother in 2001.

As Australia waits to hear whether a Northern Territory coronial inquest will categorically absolve the Chamberlains this week of any involvement in their daughter Azaria's disappearance at Uluru in 1980, the release of Department of Environment and Resource Management figures reinforces the Chamberlains' case.

Evidence about dingo attacks on Fraser Island is understood to have been submitted to the NT Coroner and were instrumental in having a fourth inquest opened.

"Encounters - incidents or sightings - that are reported to rangers are added to the dingoes' profile," a DERM spokesman said.

"Dingoes assessed over time as being dangerous to people are humanely destroyed.

"These animals cannot 'unlearn' this behaviour and can quickly become unpredictable and so dangerous that they will, in certain circumstances, seriously maul or kill someone."

The NT Coroner Elizabeth Morris is expected to hand down her findings on the Chamberlain case on Friday.

Originally published as Dingoes in 100 island attacks