K’gari dingo pack to be euthanised following death of Canadian backpacker

Authorities have revealed the fate of dingoes believed to be involved in the death of a Canadian backpacker after rangers observed “aggressive behaviour”.

The dingoes involved in the death of Canadian backpacker Piper James, will be “humanely euthanised”, the Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation announced on Sunday.

The body of Piper James, 19, was found on Seventy Five Mile Beach on K’gari (Fraser Island) just after 5am on Monday.

Friends of Ms James have revealed she had told them she was going for a swim about 5am that same morning.

Two passers-by discovered Ms James’ body an hour later, surrounded by a pack of dingoes.

Canadian backpacker Piper James died on Monday. Picture Supplied
“Rangers have closely monitored the pack of dingoes involved in the incident this week and have observed some aggressive behaviour,” a spokesperson from the department said.

“Following the initial autopsy findings, this pack’s involvement in the incident, and observations since, this pack has been deemed an unacceptable public safety risk.

“Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Rangers are currently implementing actions accordingly.

“There is no public safety risk during this process.

“Dingoes involved in Monday’s incident will be humanely euthanised,” they said.

The dingoes associated with the attack will be put down. Picture: Liam Kidston
On Sunday, Todd James, the father of Ms James, said in a Facebook post he and his wife (Angela) received a phone call from Queensland police, informing them of QPWS’ actions.

“This evening, my wife and I received a phone call from the Australian police department in Brisbane, informing us that the attached news media would be released today. Simply sad, heart-wrenching information.”

Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said, “this tragedy has deeply affected Queenslanders and touched the hearts of people around the world”.

“The Department has made the decision that all dingoes involved in the incident will be removed and humanely euthanised.

“This is a tough decision but I believe it’s the right call in the public interest.”

Increased ranger patrols will also remain in coming weeks. Picture: Supplied
The preliminary findings from Ms James’ autopsy have since been delivered to her parents, with the ABC reporting a preliminary assessment indicating the dingo bites found on her body were most likely sustained after her death.

“The autopsy has found physical evidence consistent with drowning and injures consistent with dingo bites,” a spokesperson told the broadcaster.

The ABC reports the spokesman said the pre-mortem dingo bite marks were not likely to have caused immediate death and there was no evidence any other person was involved.

9 News earlier reported the findings show evidence of fluid on the woman’s lungs, but how the fluid entered her body – whether through puncture wounds or via Ms James inhaling water – remains unclear.

Further testing could take up to two months, 9 News reports.

Ms James was 19-years-old and visiting Australia with friends. Picture: Supplied

She was found surrounded by a pack of dingoes at a beach near Woralie Rd. Picture: Supplied
Speaking to 9News, Mr James said the family was “relieved” as the results meant her body could be released back to her family in Canada.

On Saturday, Mr James took to Facebook to thank everyone for the “overwhelming amount of support” he and his wife are receiving.

“It can be so very dark at moments. It truly helps knowing we are not alone in the heartbreak,” he wrote. “She was an incredible human!

“Next week Pipers body will be repatriated home back to Campbell River. Where a celebration of her life will be held. Dates will follow.

“Again, thank you to everyone that has shared in the support we have received. Unable to process and replay to all but I know with time I will read and re-read them all! So thank you.”

He also said he and his wife had been invited to an Indigenous smoking ceremony to be held on K’gari, which he said they would be “honoured” to accept.

Earlier in the week, Wide Bay District Inspector Paul Algie said, “K’gari is a wilderness area, dingoes are wild animals, and while they are very culturally and significant to the local First Nations people and to the people that live on the island, they are still wild animals and need to be treated as such.”

He urged visitors to stay away from the protected species.

“I implore all people that visit K’gari, which is a beautiful place, that you do not go near dingoes, that you do not feed dingoes and that you just leave them to live their life and you need to move around them accordingly,” Inspector Algie said.