A handful of common mistakes made by visitors to one of Australia’s best fishing spots are causing a huge problem for the resident animals hunting along the coast.
While most of the thousands of fishers who visit Queensland’s K’gari National Park (formerly Fraser Island) each year do the right thing, some are simply ignoring their responsibilities and this is attracting the attention of dingoes looking for an easy feed.
Dozens of photographs provided to Yahoo News show several dingoes invading fishermen’s territory over the past two months, resulting in the animals becoming caught in fishing gear.
Rangers reported an increase in cases during that same period, prompting the Department of Environment (DESI) to issue a warning about the problem for the first time.
Related: Disturbing find inside giant Australian pelican: “They eat almost anything”
What are the most common oversights of fishermen visiting K’gari?
The first problem is that fishermen do not properly bury unused bait and fish remains, and this attracts the attention of dingoes looking for food.
The second problem is that dingoes are tolerated in fishing camps, causing the animals to become arrogant and steal food.
Senior ranger Dr Linda Behrendorff has observed that dingoes are “extremely intelligent and curious” and will expectantly approach fishermen in search of food or even chase a catch as it is being hauled in.
“During our patrols on the island, we have observed fishermen ignoring dingoes hanging around them or their cars,” Behrendorff said.
“These dingoes have the potential to become habituated and we really need fishermen to drive them away by pointing and shouting ‘go away!’”
Learn more about how fish hooks harm other animals
How do you help dingoes after swallowing hooks?
The third behavioural problem is that the dingoes themselves suffer a huge problem, and it’s not just that they remove hooks from baits. It’s also a nuisance for gamekeepers, because when a dingo swallows a hook, it has to be sedated with a blowgun so that it can receive medical treatment.
Images show dingoes with hooks stuck in their mouths, ribs and legs. Native birds such as pelicans are also affected.
“When dingoes take the bait, a hook gets stuck in their lips or jaws,” Behrendorff said.
“Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers have to track and sedate dingoes to remove hooks, lures and fishing line. These wounds are often infected and require thorough cleaning with an antiseptic liquid. Dingoes can also tear off hooks and lures, putting them at risk of more serious injury.”
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