Tourist encounters surprise guest hiding at campsite on popular holiday island
The hidden danger was spotted just days after another visitor to the island was bitten by a dingo.
Tourists enjoying a holiday to K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, were stunned to discover an unexpected guest taking cover at their campsite.
The group, staying near Eurong on the eastern side of the island, returned to their campsite at 7pm to spot the dingo which had ‘made himself comfortable’ between the camp chairs and tent.
“Even with the lights shining on him he hasn't moved,” they shared online. The surprise find comes as rangers on K’gari are investigating following a German tourist being bitten on the shin by a dingo on the eastern side of the island earlier this week.
The incident happened at Gerowweea Creek on March 13 when the man got out of his vehicle to check the depth of the water, according to a Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service statement on Friday.
The female dingo, who he hadn’t noticed approach him, bit him on his right shin causing a small laceration. The bite caused the man to jump onto the bonnet to escape the dingo. The bite comes only days after a tracking collar was placed on a female dingo.
Dingo encounter sparks warning
While it appears that the campsite dingo appears to be different to the one involved in the attack, it’s sparked a warning to those enjoying time on the island.
“I have heard there are some that may be a bit aggressive at times,” said one Aussie on social media. “Don't ever try and pat them or feed them...they are not pets...they are and should remain Wild Animals. Be Cautious.”
It’s not the first time that a dingo has been spotted hanging around campsites on the island with a holidaymaker last month expressing his surprise at waking to find a pack of four outside his tent during a weekend away.
Tourists' 'dangerous' behaviour sparks major change on K'gari: 'Ruining it'
Tourists warned after girl, 5, bitten by dingo while second child narrowly avoids attack on K'gari
Sydney man Laine Cameron was visiting K'gari with his partner when he woke to find a "curious" bunch of dingoes sitting right at the doorstep of his tent.
"They are just curious, looking for food," he told Yahoo. "You have to just make sure you don’t leave any food or rubbish out otherwise they’ll just snatch it and run.
"They’ll even eat your tomato sauce or thongs if you leave them out, but they weren't aggressive towards us — we could hear them playing outside our tent during the night."
Authorities say encounters can turn to 'tragedy'
Last month, Queensland’s Parks and Forests Department issued a warning on their social media about dingos.
"Generally dingoes go about their lives and stay clear of people. Unhabituated dingoes have a natural fear of people and shy away," they wrote.
"From time to time, dingoes may come close and some encounters can turn to tragedy. Stay alert and stay calm.
"Stand still at your full height and fold your arms across your chest, face the dingo, then calmly back away. If you are with another person, stand back to back."
The QWPS recommends all visitors to the island to carry a stick with them at all times and to report any negative interactions with dingoes to 07 4127 9150 or dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au
Authorities on the island share the following sign to avoid a dingo altercation:
Never feed dingoes
Always stay within arm's reach of children
Walk in groups
Do not run
Never store food in tents
Secure rubbish
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
