Two young children stalked by dingoes on Fraser Island

Two young children were chased down by dingoes on Fraser Island before one was bitten on the thigh.

Two young children have been stalked by dingoes on Fraser Island before one was bitten on the thigh.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers are investigating two separate incidents on K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, involving an untagged, juvenile dingo and children.

It comes as a five-year-old girl was bitten on the thigh and received lacerations and bruising near Wathumba beach around 3pm on December 10.

Two children were reportedly stalked by a dingo within 24 hours on K’gari (Fraser Island). Picture: Supplied

Witnesses said the girl ran from a large group of people near the sand flats, and a nearby dingo ran at full speed toward her and nipped her on the thigh.

“The girl stopped running, then became scared and ran as people were running toward her, and the dingo followed and bit her on the thigh,” QPWS stated.

“An adult grabbed the girl and waved their hat to ward of the dingo, which moved away a few metres until other adults intervened and it moved on.

“The girl received a laceration and bite to her thigh that was treated by a doctor camping on the island.”

Rangers are investigating after two reported dingo attacks. Picture: Supplied

Less than 24 hours later, rangers were patrolling the beach at Wathumba when they noticed a seven-year-old boy away from his family.

“A dingo that had been sleeping under a vehicle began walking toward the boy with intent, and the boy became scared and ran,” QPWS stated.

“The dingo ran at speed toward the boy as rangers ran through the water and the parents also ran for the boy. The dingo lunged, attempting to bite but did not make contact.”

QPWS rangers helped both families following the attacks.

An investigation is underway to determine whether the dingo attacks were by same animal.

As the holiday season fast approaches, QPWS rangers are reminding visitors and residents on K’gari to keep children under constant supervision.

Visitors are reminded to keep their distance from dingoes. Picture: Supplied

Visitors to Fraser Island are reminded to be dingo safe at all times:

• Always stay close (within arm’s reach) of children and young teenagers
• Always walk in groups
• Camp in fenced areas where possible
• Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction
• Never feed dingoes
• Lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat)
• Never store food or food containers in tents, and
• Secure all rubbish, fish and bait.

Originally published as Two young children stalked by dingoes on Fraser Island