Stray dingo pup 'stolen'

AUTHORITIES believe a timid, emaciated dingo pup that has spent at least a month in bushland around Maryborough may have been stolen from Fraser Island.

Fraser Coast TESS Wildlife Sanctuary assistant keeper Joely Smith is eager to get the young dingo back on track. Picture: Megan Pope

AUTHORITIES believe a timid, emaciated dingo pup that has spent at least a month struggling to survive in bushland around Maryborough may have been stolen from Fraser Island before being dumped.

And if the culprits are caught, they could face a $300,000 fine or up to two years in jail.

The malnourished male pup, which appears to be purebred and less than 12 months old, was caught early Thursday morning and delivered to the TESS Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management is investigating the incident amid claims adult and juvenile dingoes had been taken off the island in increased numbers.

Department regional manager Peter Wright said there had not been any previous confirmation of dingoes being taken from the island but there had been unsubstantiated reports.

"The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service in the Great Sandy region occasionally receives reports of dingoes being taken from Fraser Island and each one is investigated," he said.

TESS Wildlife Sanctuary curator Ray Revill said DERM might have to return to random vehicle inspections on the island, which had a dingo population estimated to be between 100 and 200.

Mr Revill said reports of dingoes being taken from Fraser Island had become especially prevalent in the past year.

Judging by its condition, the dingo pup, which was identified by colourings and markings, could have been roaming alone on the mainland for up to six weeks.

"It's going to need a lot of tender love and care," he said.

Cheryl Bryant, of conservation group Save Fraser Island Dingoes, said the group received reports that dingoes with ear tags had been spotted on the mainland but had been unable to confirm them.

"We've heard of adult dingoes being taken and dumped in the bush," she said.

"We've had people commenting that they've seen dingoes with ear tags."

Mr Revill agreed with her that people might have mistakenly felt they were doing the right thing by taking the animal to the mainland.

"They are condemning it to death," Ms Bryant said.

The captured young dingo will spend the next four weeks receiving treatment and special care.

Mr Revill said if the pup was confirmed as a Fraser Island dingo, it might not be returned to the island and could stay at the sanctuary.

Originally published as Stray dingo pup 'stolen'