Dingo killing on Australian island sparks criticism and reignites debate about conservation and tourism. JAN 29, 2026

Photo of a dingo lying down by Anthony Rae on Unsplash (free)

Dingo killing on Australian island sparks criticism and reignites debate about conservation and tourism.

By TGAN Editorial Staff | Environment and Biodiversity

The decision by the Queensland state government in Australia to cull dingoes after the death of a young Canadian tourist has provoked a strong reaction from experts, indigenous peoples, and environmental conservation advocates.

The incident occurred on K'gari Island—recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO—where the body of 19-year-old Piper James was found on a beach on January 19th. Local authorities confirmed that six dingoes have already been killed and that the operation may continue, following reports of behavior considered aggressive by a group of up to ten animals.

The autopsy indicated that the cause of death was drowning, although the body showed injuries consistent with dingo bites. According to the Queensland Court of Coroners, these injuries would not have been fatal on their own, and the official investigation is still ongoing.

Even so, the state government opted for the elimination of the animals, which reignited an old debate about how to balance human safety, tourism, and wildlife preservation.

Criticism of the lack of dialogue with traditional peoples

The Butchulla, the island's traditional indigenous people, expressed outrage at the measure. In a statement to the Australian press, the community stated that it had not been consulted before the decision and described the action as yet another example of economic priorities overriding ancestral knowledge and the cultural management of the territory.

For the Butchulla, dingoes—called wongari in their language—play a central role in the island's ecological balance and the cultural identity of the people.

Risk to genetic diversity

Experts warn that the killing could have serious consequences for the survival of the species on K'gari. Estimates indicate that the local dingo population ranges between 70 and 200 individuals, a number considered low to guarantee genetic diversity. According to Professor Mathew Crowther of the University of Sydney, eliminating an entire group could further weaken the population. “These animals aren’t acting out of malice—they’re behaving like wild predators in an environment increasingly pressured by human presence,” he stated.

Researchers also highlight that irregular feeding by tourists, a prohibited practice, contributes to dingoes losing their fear of humans and associating them with food, increasing the risk of conflict.

Coexistence instead of extermination

For biologist Bill Bateman of Curtin University, the answer shouldn't be the elimination of the animals, but rather a structural change in how tourism is managed on the island.

“Without environmental education, enforcement, and real involvement of traditional communities, we will continue to react to tragedies with short-sighted solutions—and push the dingo population into even greater decline,” he said.

Bateman advocates for a management model that involves environmental authorities, rangers, indigenous peoples, and tourism operators, prioritizing safe coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Human pain and environmental dilemmas

Piper James' family described the loss as devastating. In interviews with Australian media, the young woman's father said he was deeply shaken to learn of the dingoes' deaths, although he acknowledges that authorities face difficult decisions when it comes to public safety.

The K'gari case exposes an increasingly common dilemma in natural areas of high ecological value: to what extent should nature pay the price for poorly regulated tourism models?

The Green Amazon News – International

This text was compiled using public data, scientific reports, and information from meteorological institutions.

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The Green Amazon News Editorial Team