Body parts of dead dugong found strewn across a north Qld beach

Witnesses sought after the body parts of a dismembered dugong found strewn across a Queensland beach earlier today.

Officials from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service are investigating following the discovery of a dead dugong in Far North Queensland.

A QPWS spokesman said a local resident found the sea cow’s dismembered carcass on the beach in the Cape Pallerenda Conservation Park, northeast of Townsville Wednesday morning.

“It is thought that the dugong – a protected species – was killed last night and dismembered on site,” he said.

“Compliance rangers are now investigating as it is an offence to take a protected species.”

The Courier-Mail understands parts of the dugong was found at different spots along the beach and that there was evidence of a fire not far from the Old Jetty.

A dugong swims with the dolphins in the waters off Hervey Bay. Picture: Supplied

Some of the dugong’s remains were discovered not far from the fire.

Four dugongs and a groper were also found “suspiciously” dead in different spots across Queensland in September, but they are not believed to be related.

The World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia (WWF) and Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) called for action after the five threatened mammals all washed up dead within weeks of the each other at Beaver Rock, Rainbow Beach, Archies Beach, and the Upper Mary River.

The dead groper was also found in the Upper Mary River.

The dugong that washed up on Rainbow Beach had a heavy chain wrapped around its tail.

If anyone has any information on the deaths they are urged to contact QPWS on 1300 130 372.