A 19-year-old Canadian woman was found dead on K'gari on Jan. 19; witnesses discovered her body surrounded by about 10 dingoes near the Maheno Wreck. Police say the victim had markings consistent with interaction by dingoes, but investigators cannot yet determine whether she drowned or died from an attack. A post-mortem on the Queensland mainland is scheduled and the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation is assisting the police investigation. Authorities urged visitors not to approach or feed dingoes.
19-Year-Old Canadian Found Dead On K'gari Beach Surrounded By Dingoes; Police Describe Scene As "Horrific"
Getty; AlamyA dingo; Fraser Island K'gari
A 19-year-old Canadian woman was found dead on a beach on the Queensland island of K'gari on Monday, Jan. 19, police said. Authorities reported her body was discovered surrounded by roughly 10 dingoes — Australia's native wild dogs — near the Maheno Wreck and Orchid Beach.
What Happened
Queensland Police said they were called at about 6:35 a.m. local time after motorists spotted an "object" on the sand north of the Maheno Wreck. When two men approached, they discovered the object was a person and found several dingoes nearby. Police pronounced the woman dead a short time after arriving at the scene.
AlamyFraser Island K'gari
Investigation Under Way
Wide Bay District Inspector Paul Algie described the scene as "very dramatic and horrific" for the witnesses. He confirmed the woman had markings on her body "consistent with having been touched and interfered with by the dingoes," but emphasized investigators have not yet determined the exact cause of death.
"We simply can't confirm whether this young lady drowned or died as a result of being attacked by dingoes," Inspector Algie said, according to local media.
Police believe the woman had gone for a swim at about 5 a.m. The identity of the victim has not been released; local reporting indicates she had been living on K'gari for about six weeks and worked at a backpackers' hostel.
AlamyLone Dingo on K'gari
Next Steps
A post-mortem examination has been scheduled on the Queensland mainland to establish the cause of death. The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) is assisting the police inquiry.
Safety Message
Inspector Algie reminded visitors that K'gari is a largely wild environment and that dingoes, while culturally significant to First Nations people and familiar to residents, remain wild animals. "I implore all people that visit K'gari — which is a beautiful place — that you do not go near dingoes, that you do not feed dingoes and that you just leave them to live their life and you need to move around them accordingly," he said.
Police said they will use "every resource we can" to provide answers for the woman's family. Queensland Police and DETSI were contacted for further comment but had not provided additional statements at the time of reporting.
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