Shock new details revealed after dingo decapitation on holiday island
It's believed the animal, a protected species that's culturally important to the island's Indigenous population, was struck by a 4WD, and then its head was stolen for use as a trophy. Multiple sources have revealed to Yahoo News that the tail was also removed, and an attempt was made to skin the animal.
They also believe the mutilation didn't appear to be carried out by an experienced hunter or taxidermist, and reported sand was clearly disturbed by human activity around its body. A picture supplied to Yahoo News shows jagged cuts around its neck where the head was removed.
On K'gari, dingoes are referred to in the local language as wongari, and it is one of the few places in Australia where the species is protected. The maximum penalty for intentionally killing one on the island is $483,900 or two years imprisonment.
Last year, tourists were reminded not to steal any animal parts from the island after a man tried to take a large whale bone off the island.
Growing concerns about hoons on K'gari
Locals report that Ngkala Rocks on the eastern side of the island, where the dingo was found, is rapidly becoming more dangerous. There are anecdotal reports of increased hooning in 4WDs and problematic drug and alcohol use, and some want more policing and speed cameras.
While there have been many vehicle strikes on the island's famous sand dunes, including some believed to be intentional, no one on the island remembers anyone beheading one before.
Cheryl Bryant from Save Fraser Island Dingoes told Yahoo News Australia the situation is 'getting worse all the time'. She believes the problems are being caused by tourists visiting from elsewhere in Australia.
'It's supposed to be a protected area, and yet there are all these hoons going over there and disrespecting the island,' she told Yahoo News.
Warning tourism could be impacted by antisocial acts
Alix Livingstone from animal advocacy group Defend the Wild was 'shocked and appalled' by the dingo's disturbing death, and warned incidents like this had the potential to harm international tourism.
'A lot of people travel to Australia to enjoy and experience our wildlife, and people from overseas are often shocked at the way we treat our wildlife. The dingo's death could have an impact,' she told Yahoo News.
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She added that anyone able to visit places like K'gari should feel privileged. 'People need to be respectful when they're going into these spaces, and this is just an absolute disrespect to the country, the animals and the culture on the island,' she added.
Frustration dingo death details were withheld for weeks
Dingo advocates are hoping that authorities will track down those responsible and ensure they face justice. But they are losing confidence that will occur because of the time elapsed between the incident occurring and it being made public.
The dead animal was found by rangers on June 1, but news about the discovery was withheld until this week, leading to an assumption that those responsible for the mutilation had already fled K'gari and likely had the skull sitting on their mantlepiece at home. And anyone who witnessed the incident, which likely occurred late May or at the beginning of June, was also likely back home on the mainland or even overseas.
In a short statement, released on Thursday, the department of environment (DETSI) urged anyone who visited the Orchid Beach and Waddy Point area north to Ngkala Rocks, or has dashcam footage to contact them.
This can be done anonymously by calling 1300 130 372 or (07) 4127 9150, via the DETSI website https://parks.detsi.qld.goc.au/contactus, or by emailing dingo.ranger@detsi.qld.gov.au.
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