Human behaviour and interaction with the Dingo on Fraser Island...

One of the most favourite games of the dingo is chasey. Therefore if you attempt to run away from the dingo it will immediately chase you. In doing so it will most probably nip or bite at your ankles, and jump up at you. If a dingo approaches you, do not respond. Stand still, look the dingo in the eye, and back away if you feel you need to. If a dingo follows while you are walking, turn to face the animal and walk backwards slowly until it gets bored and moves away. Do not over react or move suddenly, as this will excite the dingo into further play. Dingoes love water play and a person in water excites them. So do not run towards the surf. Dingoes are not aggressive by nature and do not attack people for no reason, so don’t be alarmed. They are however very playful animals. Dingo play can look very aggressive but is in fact harmless. Dingoes hate being ‘told off’ and in my experience quite often sulk for hours afterwards. So a stern word is usually all it takes to send them scurrying away with their tails between their legs.

Dingoes know that humans are an easy way to get food. They have a strong history of companionship and sharing food with humans on the Island.

They will also enter and tour campsites taking any opportunity they can to steal and take food from you. "Please do not feed them". because if QPWS staff sees a particular dingo interacting with people more often than not, it becomes classified as a danger or problem animal.

The dingo then gets a report made against them, and can lead to them getting destroyed.

"Please do not encourage them to come near you".

The dingoes are not aggressive by nature and if the dingo should choose to sit near you, enjoy but Do Not Feed It or try patting it, especially near their head. Dingoes see this as predatorial behaviour and threatening.

It all comes down to common sense if you remember they are a wild animal.

Always stay calm and make no sudden moves and Never Run!