Dingoes roam along the beach on K'Gari Island in Queensland, Australia, searching for food near the shoreline. Getty Images
A 19-year-old Canadian woman has died after her body was discovered on a popular Australian beach, surrounded by a group of dingoes. Local authorities found her early Monday morning on K'Gari, an island off Queensland’s eastern coast known for its wildlife and tourist attractions.
Early Morning Discovery
Police said the woman’s body was found around 6:30 a.m. local time. Two men driving along the beach noticed about 10 dingoes gathered around what first appeared to be an object. When they got closer, they realized it was the body of a young woman, police inspector Paul Algie told local media.
Authorities have not released the woman’s name. Police confirmed she was a Canadian tourist who had been living and working at a nearby backpackers’ hostel for about six weeks.
Cause of Death Still Unclear
Investigators have not yet determined how the woman died. Inspector Algie said police could not confirm whether she drowned or suffered an attack by the animals. However, he noted that there were signs on her body that raised concerns.
Algie said there were markings on the body “consistent with having been touched and interfered with by the dingoes.”
“It was obviously a very traumatic and horrific scene for them to uncover,” he said, referring to the men who made the discovery.
A post-mortem examination is scheduled for Wednesday to help determine the cause of death.
Last Known Plans
According to reports, the woman told friends she planned to go for an early morning swim at around 5:00 a.m. before she disappeared. Police believe she was alone at the time.
“She was a young woman enjoying a beautiful part of the world, and that's what makes this such a tragedy,” Algie said.
Popular Tourist Area
The body was found near the Maheno shipwreck, a well-known attraction on the island. The ship ran aground in 1935, and its remains now draw visitors from around the world.
K'Gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, is a protected wilderness area. It is home to a large population of dingoes, which are considered a native species and are protected under Queensland law.
Warning About Wildlife
Police used the incident to remind visitors that the island remains a natural environment with real dangers.
“K'gari is a wilderness area,” Algie said. He urged people not to approach the animals.
“Dingoes are wild animals, and whilst they are very culturally 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.”
Authorities continue to investigate the incident as they await further medical findings.
