100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Rangers search for dingo after attack on boy, 2, at Orchid Beach on Fraser Island

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Surf club elects its first female president

A Coast surf lifesaving club has made history by electing its first female president. Victoria Berry took the helm at the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving More

Key change: music venue plans to add brewery

A live music venue that began as a custom guitar workshop is seeking to add a brewery and the sale of food and beverages More

Busy transport hub gears up for new bus depot

A tourist hotspot is gearing up for a new bus depot, which would improve bus running times and reduce CO2 emissions in the congested More

Billions locked in for Games as Coast venues move ahead

A deal locking in billions for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been struck between Queensland and the federal government, aimed at giving More

‘On notice’: crackdown on illegal camping resumes

Dozens of fines have been issued in a weekend blitz on illegal camping, following a surge in community complaints. More than 30 illegal campers received More

‘Dangerous and inadequate’: main road rattles locals

A Sunshine Coast road originally built from logs a century ago is not much better now, according to a community group. Yandina-Coolum Road, which runs More

A toddler has been attacked by a dingo after going for ‘a little wander’ from a house at Orchid Beach on Fraser Island.

The two-year-old suffered bites to his head and neck, as well as his left arm and leg, and was flown to Bundaberg Hospital Saturday morning. He sustained some deep puncture wounds, but paramedics say the injuries were not life threatening and he was “extremely lucky he only encountered a lone dingo and not a pack”.

The encounter happened in a residential part of the island – not a camping area, where such incidents have been more common in the past.

Fraser Island’s duty paramedic said the boy had left the house while other members of his family were asleep and was unsupervised at the time. Nearby residents heard the commotion and came to his aid.

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor with your name and suburb at Sunshine Coast News via: news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au

A LifeFlight rescue helicopter and paramedics were called to Orchid Beach about 7.30am Saturday.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers said they were investigating the attack.

“Rangers were advised early this morning are now interviewing witnesses. They understand the dingo bit the child on the head and body in the early hours of this morning,” a QPWS spokesperson said.

“At this stage it is not known if the dingo has presented with problem behaviour in the past.

“Any decisions about the management of the dingo will be made once a positive identification is confirmed and in collaboration with key stakeholders, including Butchulla traditional owners.”

People are reminded to be dingo safe and not to feed or interact with the animals as this may contribute to their habituation and may have consequences.

Dingoes that lose their natural wariness of people and become habituated may become aggressive while seeking food.

Visitors to Fraser Island are reminded to be dingo safe at all times:

  • Walk in groups;
  • Camp in fenced areas where possible;
  • Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction;
  • Never feed dingoes;
  • Never store food or food containers in tents; and
  • Secure all rubbish, fish and bait.
  • Young children must be kept within arm’s reach at all times

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share