A four-year-old boy has been bitten by a dingo, in the second attack on Fraser Island in weeks.
Key points:
- Two boys, aged four and five, were approached by a dingo near a home
- When the boys ran away, one was bitten on the thigh
- Rangers say a particular pack is approaching people for food
The Department of Environment and Science said two boys, aged four and five, were near a car at a home in Orchid Beach, when they were approached by the dingo.
The dingo sniffed the older boy before the younger boy was bitten on the thigh as the pair ran towards the house.
He suffered two small red marks and a graze to his thigh and did not require medical assistance.
The boys’ parents managed to chase the dingo away into the bush following the incident.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers are trying to determine which dingo was involved.
It is the third instance of a dingo attacking a child at Orchid Beach this year, and the second in weeks.
In April, a two-year-old boy was flown to hospital after being attacked by a dingo at the same location.
Another child was bitten in February and suffered minor injuries to his knee and hand.
Rangers are warning people that a pack of dingos in the Orchid Beach area is approaching people for food.
“It’s believed the dingo pack has been inadvertently or deliberately fed by residents and visitors, and has lost its natural wariness of people,” the environment department said in a statement.
“People are reminded to be dingo safe and not to feed or interact with dingos, as this can contribute to their habituation and cause them to become aggressive while seeking food.
“People are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any negative dingo encounters to a QPWS ranger or to phone (07) 4127 9150 or email dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au as soon as possible.”
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