Canadian woman found dead on Australian beach in suspected dingo attack

Authorities in Australia are investigating whether a Canadian woman found dead on a popular tourist beach was killed by wild dingoes, in what officials described as a “traumatic and horrific” discovery.

The body of the 19-year-old woman was found Monday morning on K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, approximately 90 minutes after she had gone for a swim. Two men driving an SUV along the beach near a well-known shipwreck discovered her body surrounded by approximately 10 dingoes.

“I can confirm there was markings on her body consistent with having been touched and interfered with by the dingoes,” Police Inspector Paul Algie told reporters at a press conference. However, he emphasized that officials “simply can’t confirm whether this young lady drowned or died as a result of being attacked by dingoes.”

A post-mortem examination is expected to be completed by Wednesday to determine the exact cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing, with officials being careful not to speculate before medical evidence is available.

The young woman had been working at a tourist accommodation facility on K’gari for approximately six weeks prior to her death. Her identity has not been released pending notification of family members.

This incident has raised concerns about increasing dingo-human interactions on K’gari, which is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park and the world’s largest sand island, located off Queensland’s coast. Approximately 200 dingoes roam freely across the island, where they are a protected native species.

Wildlife officials have noted that younger dingoes on the island have become more aggressive and less fearful of humans since tourism rebounded following COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. This behavioral shift has created growing safety concerns for visitors and residents alike.

The case evokes memories of a serious attack three years ago when a pack of dingoes mauled a 23-year-old jogger on the island. That incident was described by police as “almost fatal,” and was only stopped when a tourist intervened, beating off the animals and driving them into the surf. Police stated that the man’s intervention saved the jogger’s life.

K’gari, which received its aboriginal name back in an official change from Fraser Island, attracts thousands of tourists annually for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear lakes, and unique ecosystem. The shipwreck mentioned in the report is a popular landmark that draws many visitors to that specific area of beach.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has implemented various safety measures over the years, including fenced camping areas, warning signs, and education campaigns about dingo safety. Visitors are regularly advised not to feed the animals, to travel in groups, and to keep children under close supervision.

Dingo attacks on K’gari, while relatively rare, have previously resulted in serious injuries and, in at least one tragic case in 2001, the death of a nine-year-old boy. Following that incident, authorities culled more than 30 dingoes and implemented stricter safety protocols.

Conservation groups and indigenous representatives have long advocated for balanced approaches that protect both human safety and the island’s dingo population, which they consider culturally and ecologically significant.

As this investigation continues, local authorities may face renewed pressure to evaluate current wildlife management strategies on the island to prevent future incidents while preserving K’gari’s natural environment.