Dingo rescued after being tangled in fishing hooks on K’gari

A mother dingo was reported to be unable to walk after becoming tangled in fishing hooks on a world heritage listed island.

A mother dingo has been rescued after becoming tangled in fish hooks on the Queensland island of K’gari, as officials reminded visitors about the welfare concerns of wildlife.

Rangers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation received reports the animal had been seen in distress with hooks in its mouth and paw.

It is believed the dingo managed to have three gang hooks embedded in its mouth, and snagged its paw while trying to remove them.

Ranger Dan Novak said it was one of the worst hook injuries he had seen on the island formerly known as Fraser Island.

The animal was reported to be in distress and tangled. Picture: Department of Environment, Science and Innovation

“The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service would like to thank everyone who reported the incident to us,” Mr Novak said.

“Initial reports suggested the three hooks were stuck in her mouth and she was trailing a length of fishing line.

“She could not walk properly, could not hunt nor eat, and was obviously in distress. Without intervention, the injuries had the potential to be fatal,” he said.

The animal was captured less than a day after first reports were made and rangers had to act quickly, as the dingo was feeding pups.

Staff sedated the dingo before removing the hooks and sterilising its wounds.

Dan Novak said the incident was a reminder for visitors to take care of their equipment. Picture: Department of Environment, Science and Innovation

Mr Novak said it was a reminder to campers and fishers to take care with equipment and follow the rules, after a string of similar recent incidents.

Dingoes are a protected species on the world heritage area island, which has had more than 11,500 visitors since the start of July.

“Every fisher who visits K’gari has to remove all bait from their hooks after their fishing session is over and preferably cover the exposed hooks with a protector,” Mr Novak said.

“Dingoes are extremely opportunistic, and they will scavenge around camping areas, which is why it is so important to remove bait from all hooks.

“The next dingo may not be so lucky, especially if it swallows a hook, so we need all fishers to follow K’gari’s five fishing basic fishing rules,” he said.

A dingo, or wongari, at Waddy Point on the island.

Rangers were also monitoring a male dingo – or wongari – responsible for biting a four-year-old girl on Sunday.

The animal was reported to approach a group of fishers before biting the girl in the chest, causing lacerations, bruising and a puncture wound.

She was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Visitors and residents on K’gari are reminded to remain vigilant by keeping children at arm’s length, never walking alone and carrying a stick at all times.

Originally published as Dingo rescued after being tangled in fishing hooks on K’gari