Ranger says dingo that mauled child on K’gari Island won’t be put down or relocated

Authorities have made a massive call on what will happen to a dingo that mauled a five-year-old boy at a popular tourist destination.

The dingo that mauled a five-year-old boy on K’gari Island in Queensland will not be euthanised, or even relocated, authorities have said.

The child had been visiting Ocean Lake campground on the island – formerly known as Fraser Island - on Sunday afternoon and was playing on the beach near his parents when he was approached by the dingo.

The dingo jumped on him and started biting him, with the boy’s father racing to separate the pair and the youngster ultimately hospitalised as a result of multiple bites to his head, arm and back.

A Fraser Island dingo that mauled a five-year-old boy on Sunday afternoon will not be euthanised, authorities have confirmed.

The ranger in charge of Natural Resource Management, Linda Behrendorff, said euthanasia or culling were not the answers.

“At this stage, we’ve got extra rangers in the area and we’re doing more ‘be dingo safe’ education,” Ms Behrendorff said.

She said the attack happened in an unfenced section of the island.

“Unfortunately these children were playing in the sand, and one of them got up and walked away.”

“They were within close proximity to their parents and the child was ambushed by a single dingo,” Ms Behrendorff said.

“These parents were keeping an eye on these children. It’s just if you’re camping in an unfenced area, be aware that (you’re in) a remote area where there are wild dingoes around.”

A five-year-old boy was attacked by a dingo at Ocean Lake Campground, about 7km from where a new dingo fence was competed at Orchid Beach. Picture: Google Maps

The boy and his family were taken by ambulance to a helipad on the island, where he and his mum were flown to Hervey Bay Hospital.

Sunday’s attack came just two weeks after the state government issued a warning about the risk of an expected increased dingo presence in the area.

Just days earlier, a new seven-kilometre fence that wraps around the nearby Orchid Beach township was completed, in an attempt to reduce persistent violent dingo attacks on the island.

The new fence was built less than 10 kilometres away from where Sunday’s dingo attack occurred.

The boy was airlifted to Hervey Bay hosptial. Picture: Life Flight

The region has been battling dingo attacks for decades. Picture: Life Flight

Queensland Parks and Forests issued a warning in August that dingo relocation in the area would start from December 3 and run for two weeks, until December 17.

“Wongari (dingo) activity may increase inside and outside the fence, on beaches and in unfenced camping areas,” the warning read.

“Rangers will increase patrols and monitor the impact closely.”

The region has been battling with dingo attacks for decades, after nine-year-old Clinton Gage was attacked and killed by two dingoes near Waddy Point in April 2001.

The Queensland government had issued a warning that dingo activity would likely increase two weeks before a five-year-old boy was attacked by a dingo on K’gari Island. Picture: QPF

His death lead to the culling of around 31 dingoes on K’gari Island.

Last year, a two-year-old suffered deep puncture wounds in his legs, arms, neck, shoulder and head after an attack on Orchid Beach.

The toddler had wandered outside while his family was asleep and was approached by a dingo.

Originally published as Ranger says dingo that mauled child on K’gari Island won’t be put down or relocated