Authorities have closed two beach campsites on Queensland's Fraser Island because of a threat posed by two packs of aggressive dingoes. The Department of Environment and Resource Management closed off One Tree Rocks and Cornwells campsites on the southern end of the popular tourist destination. DERM spokesman Terry Harper said rangers were closely monitoring several dingoes that had been behaving aggressively toward people. "There have been two groups of juvenile dingoes seen circling and entering these two campsites near Lake Wabby over the past few weeks," Mr Harper said in a statement. "We believe they present an unacceptable risk to visitor safety at this location." The sites can accommodate up to 200 people. Mr Harper said affected campers had been notified and told they could be accommodated at other sites on the island. People caught feeding or making food available to dingoes face penalties of up to $4000. *Brisbane Times
Ed Comment, perhaps now they might admit they got the dingo management wrong......
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I must say I find this a very welcome and positive decision by DERM.
ReplyDeleteI know I am one of the many that criticise DERM's management of the Island, but I find this decison to close the camping grounds for the time being a very sensible one. It will be a win win situation for both the dingo and the 2 day Tourist.
The drought is still upon us and the wildlife has not been breeding up as much so therefor the food source for the dingo has become more scarce.
With the massive influx of tourists and the smell of food in the air the poor dingo is definitely going to be attracted into these areas.
I just hope the Tourists become more dingo aware and behave accordingly, and that they definitely make sure they know where their children are at ALL TIMES.
Merry Xmas to the editor and staff who put in so many hours to get wildlife information out to us.
Hooroo
Dingosimon