A 24-year-old woman narrowly escaped serious injury after being attacked by a pack of dingoes while jogging on K’gari Island (formerly Fraser Island) in Queensland, Australia. The incident occurred Monday morning near Orchid Beach, an area usually bustling with activity but deserted at the time of the attack.
The woman was pursued by four dingoes and sought refuge in the ocean, a common tactic used by dingoes to exhaust their prey. Three of the dingoes followed her into the water and began attacking her. Fortunately, two men in a four-wheel-drive vehicle witnessed the attack and intervened, driving towards the dingoes to frighten them off. They then entered the water to rescue the woman, bringing her to safety on the beach before transporting her to the Orchid Beach fenced area. Emergency services were alerted, and the woman received initial first aid for injuries to her arms before being airlifted to Hervey Bay Hospital for further treatment. One of the rescuers sustained a hand injury during the rescue.
The dingoes involved are known to frequent the Orchid Beach area, and one has a history of aggressive behavior towards humans. Authorities believe the woman's isolated presence on the beach that morning made her a target. Head ranger Linda Behrendorff emphasized the importance of staying in groups in areas known to be inhabited by dingoes.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is investigating the attack and has not ruled out euthanizing the dingoes responsible. This incident follows a recent trend of dingo attacks on K’gari, including one where a tourist was bitten while sunbathing and another where a 10-year-old boy was dragged underwater. Earlier this year, a dingo was euthanized following an attack on a beachgoer, the first such instance in four years. The incident has prompted renewed calls for visitors to adhere to dingo safety guidelines, including staying in groups, avoiding running or jogging, and keeping food secured.
The Queensland government has reiterated its dingo safety recommendations, urging people to remain calm, stand tall, and slowly back away if confronted by a dingo. Running is strongly discouraged as it triggers the animals' chase instinct. A spokesperson for the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service expressed sympathy for the victim and confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify the dingoes involved. One of the dingoes is reportedly wearing a tracking collar, which will aid in the investigation. Management decisions regarding the dingoes will be made after a thorough review of the incident.
