Human–dingo interactions on Fraser Island: an analysis of serious incident reports

Abstract

Wild predators that attack people represent a significant challenge to the management authorities charged with conserving populations whilst minimising human safety risk. Fraser Island is home to an iconic population of dingoes (Canis dingo). However, conflict stemming from negative human–dingo interactions (incidents), some resulting in serious human injury and in one case, a fatality, is an ongoing concern. In an effort to highlight important factors influencing incident dynamics, we investigated the most serious incident reports gathered by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for the period 2001–15. We found a consistent pattern of incidents peaking in March/April and also July, corresponding with dingo breeding and whelping seasons (respectively). Monthly vehicle permit numbers (a proxy for visitation) were not positively correlated with incident rates, except during the breeding season. Male dingoes, particularly subadult males, featured heavily in incidents. Despite the fatality being highly publicised and the advent of copious on-site warning messages and other management interventions, serious incidents continue to occur annually, including some involving children. This suggests that risks are either not always understood, or are otherwise being ignored. While our results demonstrate that dingoes generally pose minimal risk to humans, some risk remains, particularly where poorly supervised children are concerned.

Utilising aversive conditioning to manage the behaviour of K’gari (Fraser Island) dingoes (Canis dingo)

“…Most incidents were localised around the townships of Eurong and Happy Valley or the southern barge crossing site of Hook Point/Coolooloi (Appleby et al 2017a). A strong sex bias was also observed, with 81% of incidents with a reported dingo sex involving males, and 78% of incidents involved juvenile or subadult dingoes (Appleby et al 2017a). Some 67% of incidents also occurred while people were walking or running.…”

“…(Herrero 1970(Herrero , 2002Herrero and Fleck 1990;Higgins 1999, 2003;Herrero et al 2011), grey wolves (Canis lupus) (Linnell et al 2002;McNay 2002), coyotes (Canis latrans) (Carbyn 1989;Timm et al 2004;White and Gehrt 2009) and cougars (Puma bicolor) (Beier 1991). The Australian dingo (Canis dingo) is no exception (Appleby et al 2017a). In April 2001 this threat was starkly realised when two dingoes on K'gari (Fraser Island), a World Heritage wilderness area off the coast of Queensland, Australia, fatally mauled a young boy.…”

“…A recent review of the most serious incidents recorded on the island highlighted the potential seasonality in incident dynamics, with peaks in March/April and July, corresponding with the dingo breeding and whelping seasons respectively (Appleby et al 2017a). Most incidents were localised around the townships of Eurong and Happy Valley or the southern barge crossing site of Hook Point/Coolooloi (Appleby et al 2017a).…”

“…In April 2001 this threat was starkly realised when two dingoes on K'gari (Fraser Island), a World Heritage wilderness area off the coast of Queensland, Australia, fatally mauled a young boy. This tragic incident highlighted the need for vigilant supervision of children (Beier 1991;EPA/ QPWS 2006;Appleby 2015;Appleby et al 2017a), a problem that has recently been flagged as a major correlate of attacks elsewhere in the world (Penteriani et al 2016).…”

“…Some 67% of incidents also occurred while people were walking or running. Such patterns may offer an opportunity to focus management effort on key areas, times of year and what may constitute a relatively small number of young dingoes potentially attempting to engage in play behaviour while people walk or run on the beach (Appleby et al 2017a).…”