Queensland rangers are searching for the final dingo in a pack marked for destruction after the death of Canadian backpacker Piper James on K’gari.
Wildlife rangers are hunting the last remaining dingo of a pack linked to the death of Piper James, after eight animals were euthanised on K’gari.
The 19-year-old died in the early hours of 19 January after going for a dawn swim alone on the World Heritage-listed island off Queensland’s coast.
A preliminary assessment by the coroner found physical evidence consistent with drowning, along with injuries consistent with dingo bites, though the bites were not believed to be fatal.
The coroner is awaiting pathology results to determine the final cause of death, a process expected to take several weeks.
Despite this, Queensland environment minister Andrew Powell announced nine days ago that the entire pack of 10 dingoes would be euthanised.
Dingo experts have warned the decision risks pushing Australia’s only native canid into an “extinction vortex”.
On Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for Queensland’s environment department confirmed eight dingoes had been “humanely euthanised”.
“The operation is ongoing, with one dingo outstanding,” the spokesperson said.
Noooooo no jo