A Brisbane man who allegedly fed a wongari (dingo) on K’gari (Fraser Island) at Hook Point has been issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN).
Acting compliance manager Adam Northam said on 17 March 2022, the man was photographed by a member of the public allegedly feeding a wongari pup at the Hook Point southern barge area.
“The member of the public contacted the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and provided the photographs and the man’s vehicle registration number,” Mr Northam said.
“They advised us the man was hand feeding what appeared to be crackers or biscuits, and also offered water in the palm of his hand to the wongari.
“Following an investigation, the man admitted to deliberately hand-feeding the wongari pup on multiple occasions and he was fined $2205.
“Rangers would like to thank the member of the public who witnessed the alleged feeding and reported the incident.
“We take a zero-tolerance approach to the deliberate feeding of wongari because people who feed or interfere with wongari put themselves and other people in danger.”
Mr Northam said rangers don’t need to be present to issue fines to people who deliberately feed or interfere with wongari on K’gari.
“Residents, visitors and tour group operators regularly provide information, photos and videos to rangers and the Queensland Police Service when people offend against wongari,” he said.
“People who break the rules and deliberately feed or interfere with wongari, or doesn’t secure their food and rubbish can expect a fine or to appear in court.
“The rules are there for a reason, to keep people and wongari safe. Feeding dingoes can result in the animals becoming habituated, and they can lose their natural wariness of people.
“The animals can begin to expect food from humans which leads to habituation and heightens the risk of aggression and personal injury or the destruction of the animals by teaching them poor behaviours.
“The wongari are not starving and they have access to plenty of natural food.”
People are encouraged to be dingo-safe and report any concerning dingo encounters by calling 07 4127 9150 or emailing dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au as soon as possible.
