Source: Government of Queensland
Issued: 17 Feb 2025
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating an incident on K’gari after a twelve-year-old boy was bitten on the back by a tagged dingo near Yidney Rocks.
Around 12:15pm on Sunday 16 January 2025, two children and an adult were playing in shallow water when the male dingo approached him from behind and bit him.
Nearby fishers ran to assist and attempted to deter the dingo with a stick. The dingo moved away but followed the group back to their accommodation.
The group were carrying a dingo stick but put it on nearby rocks before entering the water. The boy was treated by paramedics for superficial puncture wounds and a laceration.
When rangers attended the scene, the dingo was still in the area. Rangers have identified the dingo from photographs and provided Be dingo-safe information to fishers and staff at the private accommodation.
Rangers will monitor the dingo and provide further education to residents and visitors to the island.
People are urged to always carry a dingo stick. Fishers are advised to move dingoes on immediately and not let them linger nearby.
Report any concerning dingo encounters by calling 07 4127 9150 or emailing dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au
Visitors to K’gari are reminded to Be dingo-safe! at all times:
- Always stay close (within arm’s reach) to children and young teenagers
- Always walk in groups and carry a stick
- Never feed dingoes
- Camp in fenced areas where possible
- Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction
- 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.
For more information go to K’gari dingoes.