Dingo killed with speargun on K’gari amid spate of sightings

A man is accused of killing a dingo with a speargun at a popular Queensland holiday spot.

Wildlife officers said the man had used the speargun after the dingo lingered around a camp site at night on K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island.

Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said the killing had occurred on 19 April but they were not alerted until the next day.

“The man advised the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation about the dingo’s death the following day and has fully cooperated with department officials,” a DESI statement said on Monday.

It is an offence to deliberately harm, interfere or interact with dingoes.

It is the 11th dingo encounter reported in a matter of months on K’gari.

The latest occurred on 23 April when a 10-year-old boy was bitten on the leg at Awinya Creek on the western side of the island. At one stage there were six reports in as many weeks.

Wildlife officers have reminded visitors and residents to remain dingo safe on K’gari. Dingo sightings should be reported to rangers.

This article was first published by The Guardian on 13 May 2024. Lead Image: The speargun killing is the 11th dingo incident in a matter of months on K’gari. Photograph: Onfokus/Getty Images/iStockphoto.

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