Dingo culling on K’gari/Fraser Island in the wake of a tourist’s “very likely” drowning on the island last week has been condemned.
Humane World for Animals Australia says it is deeply saddened by a Queensland Government decision to kill six dingoes on K’gari/Fraser over the Australia Day long weekend.
The dingoes were killed after the discovery of Canadian tourist Piper James’s body on the island; preliminary autopsy results revealed drowning was the most likely cause of death with post-mortem bite marks found on her body.
Humane World’s wildlife program manager Dr Renae Charalambous says governments “need to move away from killing as the default response to wildlife conflicts”.
“Knee-jerk killing events are not a sustainable solution to complex wildlife challenges,” she says.
“This killing of six dingoes is a blow to the genetic health of the island’s small and genetically isolated dingo population. Every animal unnecessarily killed is a significant step toward the extinction of the dingoes on K’gari/Fraser.
“We’re urging the Queensland Government to put an end to these destructive practices and invest in more effective strategies like enhanced public and tourist education, to better manage the risks when holidaying in wild animal habitats, including K’gari.”
Humane World also offered their deepest condolences to Piper James’ family and friends; media report that her family are also opposed to culls as are traditional custodians of the island.
The island has been home to the Butchulla people who have lived on the island with the animals for 5000 years.
DINGO CULL PLANS
News of the cull was announced by Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell who says the decision was made to ensure “K’gari/Fraser remains open”.
“We are supporting our tourism operators as they continue to showcase the Fraser Coast as an incredible place to visit,” he says.
An Environment and Tourism department spokesman says rangers had closely monitored the dingo pack that was involved and claimed to have observed aggressive behaviour.
“Following the initial autopsy findings, this pack’s involvement in the incident, and observations since, this pack has been deemed an unacceptable public safety risk,” the spokesman said.
More rangers were sent to K’gari/Fraser to boost patrols, close campgrounds and extend a public safety education campaign, the minister’s office says.
About Humane World: With millions of supporters and work in over 50 countries, Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International) targets animal cruelty and suffering.
MORE ABOUT DINGOES: Why you need to secure food on K’gari/Fraser
