A video posted by a British tourist on K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, has provoked widespread condemnation after emerging just days before the tragic death of backpacker Piper James. The footage shows the traveller openly flouting established safety protocols designed to protect visitors from the island's native dingo population.
Ignoring Clear Warnings
Millie McCarthy, a UK visitor, uploaded a four-minute TikTok clip on January 13th depicting her solitary walk through scrubland at dusk. In the video, she is seen carrying only a Smirnoff can and a small camera purse, conspicuously lacking any protective equipment. The timing of the upload is particularly jarring, occurring less than a week before Piper James' body was discovered on Seventy-Five Mile Beach on January 19th.
The 19-year-old victim was found around 5am, approximately one hour after friends reported she had gone for a swim. Initial assessments indicated that dingo bites occurred post-mortem, though two passers-by discovered her surrounded by the animals.
Deliberate Disregard for Safety Measures
Ms McCarthy's video captures her walking directly past prominent dingo warning signs and openly debating whether to take a safety pole, commonly referred to as a dingo stick. These sticks are provided to visitors leaving fenced areas specifically for protection. She ultimately decides against carrying one.
In the footage, she acknowledges the risks while proceeding through a gate marked with clear instructions to keep it closed at all times, accompanied by a large dingo image. 'This feels very risky,' she states on camera. 'I've not actually been outside the camp before. I'm doing it…if a dingo comes up to me…I did not bring a dingo stick as well.'
Alarmingly, she even contemplates running, despite repeated official warnings that this behaviour can provoke dingo attacks. 'Apparently if a dingo sees you running they come after you. But this is worth it. I fear this is worth getting eaten by a dingo,' she remarks in the clip.
Public Backlash and Tragic Context
The TikTok video has amassed over 20,000 likes alongside a torrent of criticism from viewers appalled by the blatant disregard for safety rules. Many comments directly reference Piper James' recent death, with one user stating: 'A girl was found dead there… because she went for a swim alone. There is a reason for these rules.'
Another commented: 'Watching this after someone has just died there, and found surrounded by dingoes.' In response to criticism, Ms McCarthy admitted she had seen dingoes during her trip but claimed she felt safe inside a vehicle. When questioned about rule-breaking, she insisted it was unintentional.
Official Response and Animal Euthanasia
The backlash intensified significantly after Queensland authorities confirmed they had euthanised the pack of dingoes linked to Ms James' death. At least six of the ten animals have now been 'humanely' put down, highlighting the severe consequences of human-wildlife interactions on the island.
Last week, Wide Bay District Inspector Paul Algie reinforced the importance of visitor caution, stating: 'K'gari is a wilderness area, dingoes are wild animals, and while 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.'
The incident has reignited discussions about tourist behaviour in sensitive ecosystems and the critical importance of adhering to safety guidelines designed to protect both visitors and wildlife.
