A reminder – do not feed the dingoes

If you are going camping or visiting the national parks this holidays be aware of the rules regarding dingoes.

Minister for Environment, Leeanne Enoch, said: “People need to understand that these beautiful dingoes are wild animals, they are not starving, and a habituated dingo becomes a risk to visitors and to themselves.”

Earlier this year on-the-spot fines for intentionally feeding or disturbing dingoes increased to a minimum $2,135 per offence, and $10,676 maximum.

“It is so important that all visitors to the island stay dingo-safe especially if camping with children,” Minister Enoch said.

“September is a time where young dingoes are learning survival skills, which means they may display behaviour which can be mistaken as playing, as they test their place in their pack.”

Throughout the holidays, rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation will be providing dingo-safe messaging and checking compliance.

Butchulla Ranger, Mr Conway Burns, said visitors must keep a clean and tidy campsite and stick together as a group if they are exploring the island’s beauty.

“At this time of the year, females will be teaching pups to hunt and the packs could be defensive, so it is important to keep your distance from the wongari (dingoes),” Mr Conway said.

“Enjoy the island, respect the wongari because it is their territory, do not feed them and take your photos from a distance.

Visitors to K’gari are reminded to be dingo safe at all times:

• Always stay close (within arm’s reach) of children and young teenagers
• Always walk in groups
• Camp in fenced areas where possible
• Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction
• Never feed dingoes
• Lock up food stores and ice boxes (even on a boat)
• Never store food or food containers in tents
• Secure all rubbish, fish and bait.