DINGO WARNING FOR HOLIDAY VISITORS TO FRASER ISLAND
Published Wednesday, 26 September, 2007 at 09:22 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
School holiday visitors to Fraser Island are being urged to heed dingo safety information, and act responsibly around the animals.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation and Member for Hervey Bay, Andrew McNamara, said island rangers are ready for the usual big influx of visitors during the holidays.
“Fraser Island is a fantastic place to spend a family holiday, but people need to be careful to follow the dingo safety information that Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service provides to all visitors and residents,” Mr McNamara said.
“Dingoes are very active at this time of year, with young pups learning the ropes, and adults might behave aggressively towards people.
“Rangers are urging visitors to heed the brochures and signs, and follow the dingo-safe behaviour they outline.
“As well as having brochures and prominent signs available at many points, rangers speak to campers every day and have regular meetings with resort owners and other commercial operators.
“Groups with children and young teens are urged to stay at fenced campgrounds at Central Station, Dundubara, Lake Boomanjin, Dilli Village and Waddy Point (top) campgrounds.”
Mr McNamara said the threat of dingo attack is real, and that in April, a little girl was bitten at Eurong.
He said the Parks and Wildlife Service took a Brisbane man to court last month over leaving food out that attracted dingoes, and the court imposed a fine and costs totalling $2,000.
“People who feed dingoes put others at risk,” Mr McNamara said.
“In line with Fraser Island’s Dingo Management Strategy, any dog which bites or threatens people is destroyed humanely.
"Dingoes are not like domestic dogs. Despite their shy and hungry appearance, these are wild, unpredictable animals, and people who ignore the warnings and feed them will not change that fact.
"Reduce the risk of attack by never feeding dingoes, even indirectly. Lock up your food stores and secure your eskies, keep fish and bait secure, and pack away your food scraps and rubbish.
"If watching dingoes, do so quietly from a distance and don’t feed them or encourage or coax them with food.”
Mr McNamara said that feeding dingoes and leaving food exposed are offences which attract penalties of up to $3,000. On-the-spot fines of $225 can also apply. Rangers have a 'zero tolerance' approach to these offences.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation and Member for Hervey Bay, Andrew McNamara, said island rangers are ready for the usual big influx of visitors during the holidays.
“Fraser Island is a fantastic place to spend a family holiday, but people need to be careful to follow the dingo safety information that Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service provides to all visitors and residents,” Mr McNamara said.
“Dingoes are very active at this time of year, with young pups learning the ropes, and adults might behave aggressively towards people.
“Rangers are urging visitors to heed the brochures and signs, and follow the dingo-safe behaviour they outline.
“As well as having brochures and prominent signs available at many points, rangers speak to campers every day and have regular meetings with resort owners and other commercial operators.
“Groups with children and young teens are urged to stay at fenced campgrounds at Central Station, Dundubara, Lake Boomanjin, Dilli Village and Waddy Point (top) campgrounds.”
Mr McNamara said the threat of dingo attack is real, and that in April, a little girl was bitten at Eurong.
He said the Parks and Wildlife Service took a Brisbane man to court last month over leaving food out that attracted dingoes, and the court imposed a fine and costs totalling $2,000.
“People who feed dingoes put others at risk,” Mr McNamara said.
“In line with Fraser Island’s Dingo Management Strategy, any dog which bites or threatens people is destroyed humanely.
"Dingoes are not like domestic dogs. Despite their shy and hungry appearance, these are wild, unpredictable animals, and people who ignore the warnings and feed them will not change that fact.
"Reduce the risk of attack by never feeding dingoes, even indirectly. Lock up your food stores and secure your eskies, keep fish and bait secure, and pack away your food scraps and rubbish.
"If watching dingoes, do so quietly from a distance and don’t feed them or encourage or coax them with food.”
Mr McNamara said that feeding dingoes and leaving food exposed are offences which attract penalties of up to $3,000. On-the-spot fines of $225 can also apply. Rangers have a 'zero tolerance' approach to these offences.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004