Protect yourself from dingoes (Wongari Wild Dingo) with DAZER II

How do I protect myself from dingoes?

Use DAZER II to protect yourself from dingoes, against unwanted dingo attacks and approaches.

Part of being in Australia is to enjoy the great outdoors and with so many 4 x 4 opportunities to get right off the beaten track it can often mean entering dingo territory.

Dingoes, although related to our domestic dogs, should not be considered tame, in fact the complete opposite. The dingo is Australia's largest land-based predator, and should at all times be treated as wild, aggressive and unpredictable. An aggressive encounter with a dingo may see you fighting for your life or trying to save the life of your friend or family member.

It is common to see dingoes in frequented places like Fraser Island (K’gari-Fraser Island) and no matter how many signs there are, people are still feeding or petting these wild animals. The concern is the wild Dingoes lose their fear of people and become aggressive.

Dingo Meaning (Wongari, the wild dingo)

Dingoes are a highly evolved apex predator on K'gari, meaning they prey on other animals.

Holidaying on Fraser Island (K’gari) - What to Pack

• Protect your family by packing a DAZER II dog deterrent unit to use if dingoes approach you. Have one DAZER in your camp site and another in your vehicle. The simple DAZER unit may very well save your life, or to avoid Dingo dog bites.

• If you are attacked by a dingo, defend yourself aggressively, you are fighting for your life. Do not try to run.

• Keep young children away from dingoes at all times. (Source: Department of National Parks Sport and Racing) They should always be no less than arm’s length away from you.

• Avoid where possible any Dingo encounter.

• We are often asked if DAZER II works on dingoes (Wongari). The answer is yes! DAZER II protects against unwanted dingo attacks and approaches.

  Part of being in Australia is to enjoy the great outdoors and with so many 4 x 4 opportunities to get right off the beaten track it can often mean entering (dingo) Wongari territory.

  Dingo attacks / Are dingo dangerous?

  It is important to remember that even though dingoes are related to our domestic dogs, they should not be treated as tame animals. Dingoes should always be considered wild, aggressive and unpredictable. This means that if you encounter a dingo, you could be fighting for your life or trying to save the life of someone you care about. If you want to protect yourself and your loved ones from aggression encounters with dingoes, consider investing in a DAZER.

  It is common to see dingoes in frequented places like Fraser Island and no matter how many signs there are, people are still feeding or petting these wild animals. The concern is the wild Dingoes lose their fear of people and become aggressive.

  Advice from The Department of Environment and Science (DES)

  Wongari (Wild Dingo) warnings – Be dingo-safe! Give wongari space as K’gari is their place. View wongari from at least 20 metres away. It is illegal to disturb or feed wongari, which includes attracting them with food or food waste. On K’gari, increased maximum fines of $10,676 and on-the-spot fines of $2,205 are now in place for people who break the law and engage in this dangerous behaviour.

  Feeding wongari is wrong. Due to a few people feeding or behaving inappropriately some wongari have become habituated. These wongari are less likely to learn essential survival skills and are more likely to be struck by vehicles or show aggression towards people. Wongari (Dingo) Safety Guide.

  An increase in dingo-human interactions is expected during the summer holiday season. This is a particularly important time for juvenile dingoes to test their strength, learn essential survival skills and to avoid habituation towards people. Juveniles will quickly learn bad habits such as stealing food around camp sites instead of learning natural hunting skills. Visitors, tour operators and residents are advised to be dingo-safe! on K’gari. It is recommended that families with young children camp in fenced QPWS camping areas on the Eastern Beach, at Lake Boomanjin, Central Station, Dundubara and Waddy Point, or at fenced private camping areas at Dilli Village or Cathedral Beach.

  K’gari campsites

• Juvenile dingoes are learning pack rules through play and showing aggressive behaviour to gain dominance

• Young dingoes may try to dominate people, especially children

• Always stay close (within arm’s reach) of children and young teenagers

• Always walk in groups

• Camp in fenced areas where possible

• Walk with a stick

• Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative wongari interaction

• Never feed dingoes

• Lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat)

• Never store food or food containers in tents

• Secure all rubbish, fish, and bait

• Take no food to lakeshores

  Are Dingoes Dangerous?

  Yes, please report dingo, wongari, interactions or people feeding dingoes, wongari – Photos and videos may assist; take note of location, ear-tag colour, number, and which ear.

  Prevent Dingo encounters?

• Do not have food easily accessible at your camp.

• Don’t leave unsecured food scraps or feed them.

• Do not try to pat or pet them. Dingoes are an apex predator.

• Do not run or chase as there is normally more than one lone Dingo

• Do not enter their territory

• Always have small younger people accompanied by a full-sized adult. It is always preferable to always travel in a group.

  What to do if you see a wild dingo?

• Stand still at your full height and fold your arms across your chest.

• Face the dingo, then calmly back away.

• If you are with another person, stand back-to-back.

• Confidently call for help.

• Wait until the dingo or dingoes are gone before you continue your way.

• Do not run or wave your arms.

• Aim and Use your DAZER to scare away the Dingo

  Department of Environment and Science (DES), Queensland

  If you have issues or encounter Dingoes please Email dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au, tell a ranger, or phone (07) 4127 9150. For emergencies requiring urgent medical assistance, call 000 immediately.

  Copy extracted from PDF: Safety Information Guide “The Dingoes (Wongari) of Fraser Island (K’Gari)” from The Department of Environment and Science (DES), Queensland. (link)

Learn more about Fraser Island( K’gari’s) Dingoes (Wongari)

Do dingos bark?

When startled a dingo may bark fast. It is not common as the noise you will normally hear from a Dingo is a howling noise which they use for communication with the pack.