Source: Tasmania Police
Issued: 19 May 2025
Rangers are reminding fishers to be alert on K’gari after a man was bitten by a dingo whilst fishing in knee deep water around 11:30am near Eurong on 16 May 2025.
The man was fishing alone when he was approached from behind by the dingo. It bit him on the back of the leg, resulting in two puncture wounds and a small superficial laceration which required basic first aid treatment.
The man told rangers from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) that the dingo was almost fully submerged in the water at the time of the incident.
He was wearing a fishing bag containing a fish, and rangers believe the dingo may have been attracted by the smell.
After being bitten, the man used his fishing rod to make contact with the dingo.
In addition to this incident, DETSI has received recent reports that dingoes have been loitering around fishers on the island in hope of getting a free feed.
Dingoes are known to steal fish and bait from anywhere they can scavenge, including vehicles, berley bags, shallow waters and straight off a fisher’s line.
To fish responsibly, it’s important to stay close to the water’s edge when reeling in a fish and avoid dragging your catch across the sand.
When removing bait from fishing hooks, it is recommended that a protective cover is placed on the hook, and it is stored out of reach of dingoes.
Ranger Dan Novak would like to remind all visitors including fishers to be alert for dingoes on K’gari.
“Dingoes are opportunistic predators and will strike when they see a chance to do so,” Mr Novak said.
“To avoid a dingo incident, it’s always a good idea to have a mate stand guard, preferably holding a dingo stick.
“It is an offence to hang bait or berley bags on the outside of vehicles, in trees, or have these lying around.
“We have also seen dingoes grabbing bycatch or fish that are undersized as they’re being released.
“To reduce the chance of a negative dingo interaction we remind visitors to be dingo safe at all times.”
Visitors to K’gari are reminded to ‘Be dingo-safe!’ at all times:
- Always stay close (within arm’s reach) of children and young teenagers
- Always walk in groups and carry a stick.
- Camp in fenced areas where possible
- Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction
- Never feed dingoes
- Lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat)
- Never store food or food containers in tents, and
- Secure all rubbish, fish and bait.
For more information go to K’gari dingoes