01-07-2025
Rangers say dingoes on K'gari are 'gorging' themselves on food and rubbish
Tents are being ransacked and belongings destroyed on K'gari (Fraser Island), prompting rangers to warn school holiday visitors to be aware of the island's apex predator.
Dingoes have been feasting on food and rubbish from unsecured campsites on the heritage-listed island, according to Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers.
"Rangers came across a number of sites recently where the dingoes have gotten into the camping gear and absolutely gorged themselves on food," Linda Behrendorff said.
"Dingoes are opportunistic, and they will take a chance to come into a camp if they can smell [food]."
Dr Behrendorff said the recent incidents were a concerning sign that dingoes were losing their natural fear of humans.
"Normally they will grab something off a table or grab something out of an esky … but to rip it all to bits — that sparks rangers' interests," she said.
Dr Behrendorff said food and rubbish had to be stored properly to ensure safety on K'gari.
"We are always telling visitors to make your camp as unattractive to dingoes as you possibly can," she said.
"That includes securing items or equipment with locks, not bands that [dingoes] can chew off.
"Use good, sturdy eskies that you can shove right under vehicles or picnic tables so the dingoes can't drag them away.
"They're very good at getting into flimsy, canvas things … they're no good over here, your food will be taken away very quickly."
Dr Behredorff also urged fishers to properly dispose of their scraps.
"Fishers should bury fish frames and unused bait at least 50cm deep in the sand to prevent dingoes digging it up," she said.
The environment department said feeding dingoes, even inadvertently, was illegal.
"On-the-spot fines include $2,580 for deliberately feeding a dingo and $464 for food availability," a spokesperson said.
"The maximum court-imposed penalty for feeding dingoes is $26,614."
