The dingo charged at two children, aged four and 12, who were swimming in shallow water in the lake, biting the four-year-old on the left shoulder and causing superficial lacerations.<\/p>\n
The child’s mother picked them up and the father yelled and chased the dingo, but it continued to loiter near the family.<\/p>\n
Senior ranger Dr Linda Behrendorff said dingoes were opportunistic apex predators that would strike if given the chance.<\/p>\n
She urged visitors to the island to carry a dingo stick and keep children close.<\/p>\n
‘Some dingoes will target children because they are seen as the weaker links of the pack,’ Dr Behrendorff said.<\/p>\n
‘This is why it is so important to keep children within arm’s reach.’<\/p>\n
She said ranger patrols had been increased across the long weekend, but urged people to remain vigilant.<\/p>\n ‘People need to understand their risk when travelling to K’gari,’ Dr Behrendorff said.<\/p>\n ‘Our message is simple: be dingo-safe.’<\/p>\n The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is investigating the incidents to determine next steps.<\/p>\n The attacks follow another incident at a beach near Kingfisher Bay on January 18, when a three-year-old girl was bitten on the back of the leg by a tagged dingo.<\/p>\n At least 21 incidents involving dingoes were reported on the island in 2024.<\/p>\n