A 19-year-old Canadian woman has been found dead on a beach on K'gari, the Queensland island formerly known as Fraser Island, in a suspected attack by native dingoes.
Traumatic Discovery on the Sand
Queensland Police were called to the beach near a popular shipwreck tourist site at 6.35 a.m. on Monday 19 January 2026. The body was discovered by two men driving an SUV along the shore, who reported seeing around ten dingoes in the vicinity.
"It was obviously a very traumatic and horrific scene for them to uncover," Police Inspector Paul Algie told reporters. The young woman had been working at tourist accommodation on the World Heritage-listed island for approximately six weeks. She had gone for a morning swim just 90 minutes before her body was found.
Investigation into Cause of Death
Inspector Algie confirmed there were markings on her body consistent with interference by dingoes. However, police are not yet speculating on the exact cause of death. "We simply can't confirm whether this young lady drowned or died as a result of being attacked by dingoes," Algie stated.
A post-mortem examination is expected to be completed on Wednesday 21 January to establish how she died. The incident has reignited concerns about dingo behaviour on the island, which is home to roughly 200 of the protected native dogs.
History of Aggression and Protected Species
This tragic event follows a serious incident three years ago where a pack of dingoes mauled a 23-year-old jogger in an attack police described as almost fatal. A tourist intervened, beating off the animals and saving the woman's life after the dingoes had driven her into the surf.
Authorities have noted that younger dingoes on K'gari have become more aggressive and less fearful of humans since tourists returned in large numbers following the COVID-19 pandemic. The dingoes are a protected native species within the national park.
