Rangers remove gang hooks from mother dingo on K’gari

A mother dingo has been saved by rangers on K’gari after a large set of gang hooks became embedded in her mouth and foot.

A mother dingo has been saved by rangers on K’gari after a large set of gang hooks became embedded in her mouth and foot.

The gang hooks had become deeply embedded in the dingo’s jaw, and as she tried to use her right foot to remove them, the third hook snagged her leg.

The adult female dingo’s right paw was then hooked beside her jaw.

She was observed in distress around the Orchid Beach region and the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation received multiple reports from visitors to K’gari.

Ranger Dan Novak said the hook injury incident was one of the worst he had seen on the island.

“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.

“To make matters worse, the dingo is feeding pups, so rangers had to act swiftly to remove the hooks and on August 12, she was sedated, the hooks were gently removed, and the wounds were sterilised.

A mother dingo has been saved by rangers on K’gari after a large set of gang hooks became embedded in her mouth and foot.

A mother dingo has been saved by rangers on K’gari after a large set of gang hooks became embedded in her mouth and foot.

“Less than 24 hours after receiving the initial report, the dingo had been captured, treated and ran free and went back to her den.”

Winter is considered tailor season on K’gari.

Since July 1, more than 11,500 people stayed at least one night in a camping area managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and more than 4700 vehicle access permits have been provided to visitors.

Mr Novak said rangers have already removed hooks and fishing line from several dingoes around the Orchid Beach area due to the influx of fishers.

“We believe most incidents have involved fishing gear that has been taken back to camp and the fisher has not removed the bait from the hooks,” he said.

“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.

“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.

“Some incidents have involved dingoes grabbing a fisher’s catch as they reel it in, so all fishers need to follow the Be dingo-safe! rules and move dingoes on.”

30 photos: St Mary’s College students celebrate formal in style

Regional Qld’s multibillion-dollar infrastructure blackhole

Originally published as Rangers remove gang hooks from mother dingo on K’gari