As of: March 15, 2024, 11:41 a.m
By: Bettina Menzel
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A wild dingo attacked a German tourist on a holiday island in Australia on Wednesday - with a minor outcome.
The man was able to save himself with a courageous jump onto his car.
Brisbane - It is the largest sand island in the world: K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, is located off the coast of the Australian state of Queensland.
In this tropical paradise - K'gari means "paradise" in the Aboriginal language - a German holidaymaker got to know the island's wildlife.
An aggressive dingo attacked the man, Australian news agency AAP reported on Friday (March 15), citing the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
People in Australia have been attacked and injured by dingoes several times.
(Symbolic image) © dpa/Imago/Montage
German holidaymaker attacked by wild dingo
The travel group of the German and his three companions got out of the car on Wednesday before crossing a watercourse to check the depth of the water.
At that moment a dingo suddenly attacked the travelers.
The German holidaymaker suffered a wound to his shin from the animal's bite, but was able to escape by jumping onto the bonnet of the vehicle, according to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service report.
His three companions remained uninjured.
The man's wound was not particularly deep and was initially treated by the companions and later by paramedics, it said.
Dingo population on K'gari: Why the predator incidents occur
The dog-like predators dingoes are widespread on the Australian holiday island of K'gari.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Environment and Science spoke of 130 incidents in the first half of 2023 alone.
Most attacks by animals on people end lightly.
However, last July a jogger was attacked and seriously injured by a whole pack of dingoes.
The leader of this dingo pack was then euthanized, reported the German Press Agency.
If an animal shows noticeably aggressive behavior, this step is in some cases the authorities' last resort.
Dingoes are dog-like predators that live primarily in Australia.
© IMAGO / Panthermedia/ reneeclaire
Dingoes have lived on K'gari for thousands of years and are protected there.
Hundreds of the dog-like predators in around 25 to 30 packs are said to be native to the tropical island.
At the same time, around half a million visitors come to K'gari every year.
The authorities recommend holidaymakers not to move around the island alone, to be vigilant and to carry a stick with them.
According to a report by the Australian media
ABC,
the increase in attacks is also due to many tourists ignoring warnings and instructions from rangers.
According to the Australian Department of Environment, holidaymakers who feed dingoes could face a fine of up to $11,500 (around €10,560).
Australia's nature has recently been in the spotlight for another reason: researchers on the Great Barrier Reef had spotted another coral bleaching event.