Australian feeds dingoes on K’gari (Fraser Island) – with serious consequences Safe Oktoberfest: where women can find help in case of emergency during Oktoberfest

An Australian has been heavily fined for feeding wild dingoes on the world-famous K’gari Island (formerly known as Fraser Island).

The 58-year-old was filmed last week trying to lure the animals on the world’s largest sand island with treats, 9News reported on Thursday, citing local park rangers. The game wardens then imposed a hefty fine of almost 2,500 Australian dollars (about 1,450 francs) on him.

I’ve already killed three animals

A single incident like this is enough for dingoes to associate humans with food, said Mike Devery, a spokesman for the island’s national park. A fed animal often passes on the behavior to the entire pack.

Devery spoke of the man’s “irresponsible behavior.” “Ensuring the safety of the people of K’gari and protecting the dingo population is our top priority and this man may have put lives at risk.”

This year alone, authorities have had to kill three dingoes after attacks on humans increased. A few days ago, an animal was euthanized after it attacked a woman on a beach and bit her leg. In July, another woman was attacked and seriously injured by a pack of dingoes while jogging. In June, a 10-year-old child was bitten by one of the predators and dragged underwater. The boy was saved by his twelve-year-old sister.

Own kind of wild animals

It was long believed that dingoes were wild domestic dogs thousands of years ago. However, research in recent years has shown that it is a separate species and therefore an Australian wild animal.

K’gari, off the coast of Queensland, is famous for its dingo population. The animals that do not bark but howl like wolves are protected here. To the delight of the natives, the island has returned to its original name since June. K’gari (pronounced Garrie) means “paradise” in the language of the Butchulla people.

(dsc/sda/dpa)