Tourists on alert after dingo drags boy, 10, under water on Queensland island
Visitors are being warned after more and more dingos continue to roam the popular tourist spot.
Holidaymakers are being warned to stay alert when visiting Queensland's Fraser Island after a 10-year-old boy was attacked and dragged under water by a dingo.
The boy was at a camping area on the west coast of the island – now known as K'gari – with his family when he was grabbed on the shoulder and pulled into the water by the animal.
The incident occurred last week on June 16. The boy was standing by the water's edge when he was grabbed, Assistant Principal Ranger Danielle Mansfield said.
"The boy's 12-year-old-sister who was nearby reacted quickly and ran to assist him," Ms Mansfield said. "The family treated the boy for puncture wounds to his shoulder and arms and scratches, and bruises on his collar bone and arm".
Thankfully, the boy sustained "no serious injuries" and assistance by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service was declined.
Increase in dingo sightings
Photos shared by the Department of Environment and Science show a dingo with blood on its face and body. Rangers later spotted the tagged dingo loitering near the area with video footage showing it digging up food scraps that had been buried in the sand.
Rangers chased the dingo away from the populated camping area and patrols have since been increased. However, rangers believe it's one of many roaming in the area.
The attack is the latest in a string of attacks across the island in recent months. In December last year, a five-year-old boy was rushed to hospital after being "jumped on" by a dingo. In March, a family were swimming on the island when they were circled by dingoes
Visitors warned about feeding dingos
The issue, according to Ms Mansfield, has been caused by people feeding the animals which has resulted in the dingos not showing fear or wariness of people.
"People who think it is harmless to throw a sausage or discarded bait or fish frame to the dingoes have caused the current and historic problems we are having with these dingos," she said. "Rangers have observed them lingering around camping areas and parked vehicles, and that means they're trying to solicit food from visitors because they've previously been fed."
Another video taken at the start of the month shows multiple cars parked along the beach with a dingo lurking within metres of families, including children.
Ms Mansfield said the animals are "capable of inflicting serious harm," adding that some are "quite brazen". "They are not fleeing when yelled at or when someone brandishes a stick," she explained.
Feeding dingos 'has to stop now'
It's advised that children and teenagers must be within arm's reach of an adult at all times, even if you can't see any dingos in the area. Ms Mansfield said visitors and residents to the island must remain vigilant at all times, and cannot leave children and teenagers unsupervised.
"People think it won't happen to them, but it can happen to anyone and that’s why rangers are providing dingo-safe information to as many people as possible," she said.
"We don't want any incidents on K'gari, and people must understand that dingoes are wild animals and should never be fed or interacted with. This has to stop now, and people have to make their personal safety, and the safety of their friends and families a priority."
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
