Visitors on K'gari (Fraser Island) can expect to see more rangers patrolling parts of the heritage listed island, following a surge of dingo attacks in recent days.
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00:00The freshwater lake Mackenzie is a swim spot in the heart of Gare, popular amongst tourists.
00:08But most recently, it's been the site of two separate dingo attacks on children in as many
00:14days.
00:15Rangers say a two-year-old child was bitten on the leg by a dingo lingering around the
00:19car park yesterday, two days before a dingo charged at a 12-year-old and a four-year-old
00:25swimming in shallow waters at the lake before biting the four-year-old on the shoulder,
00:29causing superficial lacerations.
00:32Now last Saturday, a woman was bitten on the leg by a dingo as she tried to stop the apex
00:37predator from taking her bag.
00:39That same day, a dingo lunged at a three-year-old who was walking with her family along the
00:44beach on the western side of Gare.
00:48Now that child's family were able to lift her to safety, while spectators from a nearby
00:52boat sprung into action, fending off the dingo with a kayak paddle.
00:58I've spoken to some parents exiting barges this morning.
01:02They say while the recent dingo attacks on children have been scary, it's not enough
01:06to deter them from visiting with their young families.
01:09Generally not very concerned about them.
01:11I just think that people sometimes aren't careful enough when it comes to wild animals
01:15and treat them like a tame dog.
01:18Don't take precautions like you should in the wild.
01:20As long as you follow the rule and then with the people, and especially with the guide,
01:26I think that should be okay.
01:27Now rangers say they're increasing patrols around areas of the island with that high
01:32dingo activity like Lake Mackenzie.
01:35In the meantime, they're urging visitors to stay vigilant, walk with a dingo deterrent
01:40stick, and never travel alone while on the island.