K’gari dingo conservationists have accused the state government of an uninformed knee jerk reaction to the tragic death of Canadian visitor Piper James, whose body was found near the Maheno wreck on the ocean beach of the island.
And they are not alone, with similar expressions of grief and anger from traditional owners, represented by the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, and Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International).
Save Fraser Island Dingoes spokesperson Cheryl Bryant said Premier David Crisafulli and Environment Minister Andrew Powell had acted without any conclusive facts.
Others say the real damage is to the dingoes’ genetic base, with even harmless pups included in the cull and no evidence the animals had anything to do with causing the tragedy.
SFID secretary Karin Kilptrick said needless dingo killings were nothing new.
She said one dingo some years ago was said to have had a broken leg, but showed no signs of the claimed gangrene used to justify her death (according to nationally respected veterinary academic Ian Gunn, who examined photographs of the adult breeding female).
“She dodged them and ran from Orchid Beach to Indian Head, where they shot her,“ Mrs Kilpatrick said.
“They have now taken out two breeding pairs (out of a limited but unknown number) and whole packs.“
She said the impact on the animals’ genetic base would be significant.to a world famous genetically pure group of dingoes.
“There have been many theories and much conjecture circulating on social media, but the only one that counts is the findings of the Coroner,“ Ms Bryant said.
“Initial autopsy results have revealed Piper James had water in her lungs consistent with drowning and injuries consistent with dingo bites.
“Authorities are still unsure how she died and further testing is being carried out, but the Premier, David Crisafulli, and the Minister for the Environment, Andrew Powell, are not interested in waiting for the facts and have ordered that all dingoes on the beach that morning be destroyed.
“When the present government came to power the first thing they did was reject a Sustainable Visitor Capacity and Management Study.
“The next was to dismiss a Strategic Plan by the World Heritage Advisory Committee to address threats identified in the IUCN World Heritage Outlook Report.
“Instead of addressing the issues at hand the government has now taken the easy and appalling action of directing QPWS to euthanize the dingoes and subsequently deny any culpability.
“Whilst our iconic K’gari wongari (dingoes) are being slaughtered the Minister, Andrew Powell, made it very clear that tourism is his and the Premier’s priority.
“This was a political decision made without consultation.
“Many people are shocked and dismayed at this course of action. If you agree you can share your thoughts with the government by contacting Andrew Powell at ’environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au’ and Premier David Crisafulli at ’premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au’,“ Ms Bryant said.
It is understood traditional owners are planning a protest against the killings and Humane World for Animals said they were “the latest in a long history of persecution of the species on K’gari.“
