A tragic and puzzling discovery has cast a shadow over Australia’s K’gari (formerly Fraser Island). Authorities are investigating the death of a 19-year-old Canadian woman whose body was found on a beach, with native dingoes present at the scene.
The young woman, working on the island for about six weeks, was discovered early Monday morning, roughly 90 minutes after her morning swim. Two men driving along the beach near a popular shipwreck attraction made the grim find, observing around ten dingoes nearby. Police confirmed “markings on her body consistent with having been touched and interfered with by the dingoes,” describing the scene as “very traumatic.”
Despite the dingoes’ presence, officials urge caution. The exact cause of death remains unknown. A post-mortem examination is underway to determine if she drowned or was attacked. Police Insp. Paul Algie stated, “We simply can’t confirm whether this young lady drowned or died as a result of being attacked by dingoes.”
K’gari is home to about 200 protected dingoes. While beautiful, these animals have become increasingly bold and less fearful of humans, especially since tourist numbers rebounded post-COVID-19. This isn’t the island’s first incident; three years ago, a jogger was nearly killed in a dingo attack, saved by a tourist’s intervention.
As the investigation continues, this tragedy highlights the complex relationship between humans and the unique wildlife on this World Heritage-listed island.
