[ad_1]
A seven-year-old girl has been bitten by a dingo, which left puncture wounds to her thigh on the popular tourist island of K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island).
The girls family were waiting for a boat at Hook Point on Thursday when they spotted a dingo (wongari) hanging around the area.
It has been reported the girl’s mother stepped out of the vehicle they were in to take photos of the dingo, unaware her children had followed.
The dingo is said to have approached the seven-year-old, who became frightened and ran, before the dingo followed and bit her on the thigh.
People nearby who saw the incident chased the dingo away.
Rangers were advised by the girls parents they would be taking her for medical treatment on the mainland.
The attack is being investigated by QPWS rangers who are attempting to identify the dingo involved.
QPWS rangers have reminded visitors and residents on K’gari to remain safe when visiting the popular holiday destination.
“Be Dingo-Safe and keep children under constant supervision when visiting K’gari island”.
As part of the ‘Be Dingo Safe’ messaging, rangers advise parents to always be close to their children.
“Always stay close and within arm’s reach of children and young teenagers,” a spokesperson for QPWS said.
Along with not running from the dingoes, as it can trigger a negative response from a dingo.
This comes as the Queensland Government announced it will be investing $2 million in funding this financial year and an additional $3 million annually ongoing to help boost public safety on the island.
The funding will be used to create jobs for an additional six QPWS rangers.
Three of which will be specialist staff and four additional Indigenous rangers in partnership with the traditional owners, the Butchulla People.
The increased patrols and education for visitors comes after a spate of dingo attacks and concerns raised after reports of unsupervisoed children running around on the island.
The addition of new rangers to the island will provide more opportunities for face-to-face information sessions with visitors and enhanced management and monitoring of dingoes (wongari).
In particular those that exhibit threatening and high-risk behaviour.
QPWS will also expand proactive ‘Be dingo-safe’ messaging to help educate tourists when they purchase camping permits, and at strategic locations on the island.
Anyone with information about dingo incidents is encouraged to contact a QPWS ranger by calling 07 4127 9150.
Originally published as A 7-year-old girl has been bitten on her thigh leaving puncture wounds
[ad_2]
Source link
