Published Tuesday, 18 December, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Heed dingo advice on Fraser Island
Christmas holiday visitors to Fraser Island are being urged to heed dingo safety information, consider staying in fenced campgrounds, and act responsibly around animals.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation and Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said families with children should be particularly watchful.
“Fraser Island is a fantastic place to spend the holidays, 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.
“The threat of attack is real – a little girl was bitten in April this year.
“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.
“People should always stay with their children and not let them wander out of sight, and visitors and residents of any age should walk in groups rather than alone.
“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.
"Dingoes are not like domestic dogs. Despite their shy and hungry appearance, these are wild, unpredictable animals.
“People feeding dingoes, or leaving food out that attracts dingoes will be fined. Rangers have a 'zero tolerance' approach to these offences.
“Feeding dingoes puts other people at risk but can also lead to the death of a dingo,” Mr McNamara said.
“In line with Fraser Island’s Dingo Management Strategy any dog which bites or threatens people is destroyed humanely.
"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 feeding dingoes and leaving food exposed were offences which attracted on-the-spot fines of $225 or court penalties of up to $3000.
Media contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation and Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said families with children should be particularly watchful.
“Fraser Island is a fantastic place to spend the holidays, 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.
“The threat of attack is real – a little girl was bitten in April this year.
“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.
“People should always stay with their children and not let them wander out of sight, and visitors and residents of any age should walk in groups rather than alone.
“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.
"Dingoes are not like domestic dogs. Despite their shy and hungry appearance, these are wild, unpredictable animals.
“People feeding dingoes, or leaving food out that attracts dingoes will be fined. Rangers have a 'zero tolerance' approach to these offences.
“Feeding dingoes puts other people at risk but can also lead to the death of a dingo,” Mr McNamara said.
“In line with Fraser Island’s Dingo Management Strategy any dog which bites or threatens people is destroyed humanely.
"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 feeding dingoes and leaving food exposed were offences which attracted on-the-spot fines of $225 or court penalties of up to $3000.
Media contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002