A man has been fined $2,476 for feeding two dingoes on K’gari.
The 58-year-old Queensland man was filmed by a member of the public last Thursday, enticing and attempting to hand-feed the dingoes at Eastern Beach adjacent to Poyungan Valley.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers tracked the man down the next day and issued him with the fine.
QPWS Manager Mike Devery said the man knew he was breaking the rules, and rangers were thankful a member of the public recorded the incident and sent it to them.
“This man has made a dangerous decision to feed and interact with dingoes, and his actions could cause legacy issues on the island,” Mr Devery said.
“It can take one incident like this to set dingoes on the path to habituation, and now they have been fed, they might associate people with food.
“Rangers will have to monitor the two dingoes closely to ensure they retain their natural wariness of people and don’t start approaching them or lingering around camping areas.
“One dingo that is becoming habituated can influence their pack.
“This man has fed two of them and we make no apology for handing out fines to people for their irresponsible behaviour,” Mr Devery said.
“Our number one priority is to keep people on K’gari safe and conserve the dingo population and this man has potentially put lives at risk,” he said.
Rangers could not believe someone would choose to deliberately feed dingoes after recent incidents received a lot of publicity.
Three habituated dingoes have been euthanised in 2023, including one at the weekend because people ignored the rules.
“QPWS rangers are extremely frustrated by this man, because each day we deliver Be Dingo-safe! messaging to visitors and campers.
“And that includes never deliberately feeding dingoes and never interacting with them, which this man has completely ignored.
“Residents and visitors to the island must not behave in a way that puts themselves, other people or dingoes at risk.
“Most residents and visitors to the island do not accept this type of behaviour, and rangers receive a lot of information from members of the public about inappropriate behaviour around dingoes,” Mr Devery said.
People are encouraged to be dingo-safe and report any concerning dingo encounters by calling 07 4127 9150 or emailing dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au
Residents and visitors to the island are advised to Be Dingo-safe! 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 iceboxes (even on a boat)
Never store food or food containers in tents, and
Secure all rubbish, fish and bait.
