Here is my response back.
Last resort? What other actions were done? This is completely nonsense! And the killing methods were anything but humane; leg hold traps, noose poles, duct tape, then shooting. The Indigenous people, the James family, actually the entire world is furious! The Butchalla were not consulted, the Risk Management Strategy was not listened to, and the results of the autopsy were not even conclusive! The culling happened over Australia Day Weekend when no one could even react! The Butchalla only learned about this after at least 6 were leg hold trapped, noosed, mouths duct taped, then shot! Every single expert has been against this so called “euthanasia” and this sounds like a knee jerk response to keep the resort open! Well tourism is tanking after this massacre. I am Canadian and this is exactly what my government did to the poor ostriches in British Columbia. Pretending the cull was public safety when it was about government control.
Nicole Corrado
On Jan 29, 2026, at 1:03 AM, Complaints - DETSI <Complaints@detsi.qld.gov.au> wrote:
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the management of K’gari dingoes, or wongari, as they are known in the local Butchulla language. The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (the department) is committed to balancing the conservation of this iconic species with the safety of visitors and residents on K’gari (Fraser Island).
The department manages dingoes in accordance with the Fraser Island (K’gari) Dingo Conservation and Risk Management Strategy. This strategy aims to conserve the wild dingo population while ensuring public safety. A range of proactive measures is in place to minimise negative human-dingo interactions and promote safety for both people and wildlife. These measures include the Be Dingo Safe campaign, regular and targeted patrols, enhanced visitor safety messaging, the use of deterrents such as exclusion fencing, and the temporary closure of areas where heightened risks are identified.
To protect both dingoes and people, it is vital that dingoes are not fed or approached. Substantial penalties are in place for intentionally feeding or disturbing them, with fines recently increased to a court-ordered maximum of $27,538 and on-the-spot fines of up to $2,670. These penalties reflect the seriousness of such offences and reinforce the Queensland Government’s commitment to fostering safe and responsible behaviour around dingoes.
Dingoes are an integral part of the K’gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area’s ecosystem. Independent studies show that the dingo population on the island naturally fluctuates between approximately 100 and 200 animals, depending on seasonal conditions and breeding cycles. The population has remained stable over many years and is supported by the island’s natural food sources, which are sufficient to sustain them within the ecological carrying capacity of the environment.
Public safety remains a top priority in managing the dingo population. In rare cases where a dingo exhibits escalating behaviour that poses an unacceptably high risk to human safety, the department considers euthanasia as a last resort, but only after all other management options have been exhausted. This decision is never taken lightly and is made with the utmost consideration for both human safety and animal welfare.
We appreciate your concern for the dingoes and the unique environment of K’gari.
Regards,
Workforce Relations and Integrity | People and Culture
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
400 George St, Brisbane (Mianjin) QLD 4000
GPO Box 2454, Brisbane (Mianjin) QLD 4001
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land. We recognise their connection to land, sea and community and pay respects to Elders past and present.