Fascinating facts about dingoes on K'gari
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By Danielle Reckless
There’s two reasons why travellers make the journey to wildly beautiful K'gari (formerly Fraser Island): to explore all corners of the world’s largest sand island with World Heritage status; and to spot its most wild inhabitants: dingoes.
Dingoes have called our state home for thousands of years, being well documented by Indigenous communities for generations. And while these aren’t the Queensland animals to get cuddly with (never approach, pat or feed them), you’re guaranteed to spot them from a distance on the beaches of K'gari as the sun begins to set.
Here are a few facts about dingoes that’ll fascinate you, before you gear up for your own K'gari adventure.
Dingo on K'gari
1. K'gari dingoes are protected. Due to the remoteness of the island, they have the ability to become the purest strain of dingo on the eastern seaboard, as domestic dogs are banned.
2. Just like us, they love to travel, swim, and spend a lot of time on the beach; often walking up to 40 kilometres a day.
3. Adult dingoes may sound fierce, but they’re about the size of a medium dog: standing around 60cm high, 1.2m long and have an average weight of around 18kg.
4. Unlike domestic dogs, dingoes don’t bark but howl like wolves.
Photo by @visitkgarifraserisland
5. There is estimated to be around 25 to 30 packs on K'gari, each containing three to 12 dingoes.
6. The dingo breeds only once a year with pups born during the winter months.
7. Puppy love doesn’t last long here, as they begin to roam independently from around three to four months of age. If they’re in pack, dingoes become independent when the next breeding season begins.
8. Dingoes are most active at dawn and dusk, when they hunt for food alone or in small packs.
Photo by @discoveryfraserisland
9. As Australia’s largest terrestrial carnivores, they love meat. Diets include kangaroos, wombats and other small mammals – but they’ve even been pictured eating fish! Dingoes are at the apex of the K'gari's food chain, which makes them a vital player in the island’s conservation.
10. While they’re pretty cute and might resemble your dog, remember that these wild animals are unpredictable and shouldn’t be approached. Practice safety precautions:
- Always stay within arm’s reach of children.
- Always walk in groups.
- Never feed dingoes.
- Secure all food and rubbish, especially when camping.
- Watch them from a distance.
11. If you want to see them up close, head to Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary in Maryborough.
