The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has released two videos showing the correct way people should react to prevent a meeting with a dingo (wongari) escalating in behaviour.
One video, taken near Happy Valley on Fraser Island (K’gari), shows a solitary dingo trotting along the beach before directly approaching tourists.
QPWS Ranger in Charge, Linda Behrendorff said the tourists immediately stood together and backed away.
“Importantly, the tourists had read the wongari safety information before arriving on the island, and this is vital for all visitors to do,” Ms Behrendorff said.
“The wongari is a juvenile male and it approached the tourists with its tail raised, which can be a trait of their dominance-testing behaviour.”
She said the animal then closed the distance and vocalised before lowering its body and baring its teeth. It appeared to yawn, but it was showing the tourists its teeth and appeared to close the gap on the tourists.
“This is a Code D interaction, and because the tourists had read the wongari safety information, they knew to make no sudden movements or run,” Ms Behrendorff said.
“The wongari continued to follow them as they backed away, which is stalking behaviour. When they arrived at their campsite, they got into their car and the wongari moved on.”
Ms Behrendorff said the wongari was untagged and in good condition, and the tourists weren’t carrying any food, and they didn’t offer any food.
“From the video, it is difficult to determine if the wongari has previously been fed, but it clearly had no fear of people,” she said.
“Rangers have identified the wongari to determine future management options such as tagging, education, temporary camp closures and to provide advice to other visitors and campers in the area to be careful.”
She thanked the tourists for sending the video to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service at [email protected] and for reporting the interaction.
She said another video taken recently on the island clearly showed why people did not need to feed the wongari, because there was plenty of food.
“The video of a wongari carrying a deceased juvenile swamp wallaby was taken by another tourist and sent to us,” Ms Behrendorff said.
“There is plenty of food, so don’t feed them or you will be fined.”
The videos are available at the Department of Environment and Science at this PS News link.
