Two tourists have been bitten by wild dingoes in separate attacks on a popular Queensland island.
An 18-year-old woman was mauled on the back of her leg by a tagged dingo on K’gari in Queensland, at 3pm on Saturday.
It is understood the woman was attacked as she made her way to Lake Wabby on the island.
In the second attack, a person was mouthed or nipped by a dingo on the beachfront near Dilli Village, about 8pm on Saturday.
It has been confirmed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service both of the tourists were part of tour groups.
There were two separate dingo attacks on the popular K’Gari on Saturday. Both visitors to the island were in tour groups
An 18-year-old woman was making her way to Lake Wabby on the island when she was bitten on the back of her leg. Rangers put up warning signs Sunday morning at the entrance to the lake
The 18-year-old woman was treated for puncture wounds around her left knee.
It is unclear what injuries the person attacked on Saturday night has.
Rangers were trying to contact the people on Sunday morning and identify both of the dingoes who attacked the tourists.
At the Lake Wabby entrance, dangerous dingo signs were installed Sunday morning.
Rangers will also increase patrols in the areas of the attacks.
Visitors to K’Gari are reminded to be vigilant at all times as the dingo breeding season starts.
Tourists are warned to keep children under constant supervision.
In a QPWS statement it is said the service carries out education and compliance activities on K’Gari throughout the year.
Rangers maintain fences at the multiple camping sites around the Orchid Beach township and also do daily patrols of the island.
Dingoes are a protected species on K’Gari and each dingo has markings unique to them
K’Gari is popular with tourists and campers, but visitors have been warned to stay vigilant as we enter the dingo breeding season
QPWS also respond to human-dingo interactions on a case-case basis.
‘The Queensland Government is investing an additional $2 million in funding this financial year and an additional $3 million annually ongoing to expand our proactive Be dingo-safe! messaging,’ it said.
They said the money will also support 13 new jobs in dingo ‘conservation and management’.
‘The Fraser Island Dingo Conservation and Risk Management Strategy was reviewed in 2020 by the Queensland Chief Scientist, with the assistance of an expert panel, and was found to be comprehensive and effective.’
There has been only one recorded death on K’Gari from a dingo.
In 2001, two dingoes stalked a nine-year-old and attacked him when he tripped and fell near a campsite. The dingoes also savaged his brother.
Anyone with information about the two attacks or other negative dingo interactions, are urged to contact QPWS rangers.