One of the most controversial, maligned and intriguing animals in the Fraser Island ecosystem would have to be this bloke the Fraser Island dingo. It’s thought that Fraser is home to 25 – 30 wild dingo families or packs and these packs are dominated by an alpha male and female who are the predominant breeders of the pack. Over the years dingoes have come to associate people with food and for this reason, they’ve grown bolder.
Stupidly though some people still try to attract them with food, so they can take photos and this sort of behaviour has led to some disastrous outcomes. In 2001 a young boy was killed and his brother also attacked and there have been several attacks in recent years.
If confronted by an aggressive animal the worst thing to do is turn and run stand up as tall as you can, fold your arms, maintain eye contact at the animal and never ever turn you back! It’s highly unlikely that you’ll have any issues as local Rangers monitor rogue behaviour pretty well.
But remember to securely lock food away if you leave camp and by that, I mean strongbox your supplies. Also never let young kids go walking alone on Fraser Island. Even in small groups they could be challenged so be vigilant. On Fraser, these guys are at the top of the food chain in a delicate environment and they should be respected and admired from afar. For more information on the Fraser Island dingo, you can contact the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service at nspr.qld.gov.au If you’re planning a trip to Fraser check out our driving tips.
