Canadian Woman, 19, Found Dead on Fraser Island as Dingoes Gather Around Her Body

Queensland police are investigating the death of a 19-year-old Canadian woman after her body was discovered on a beach at K’Gari (formerly Fraser Island), surrounded by a pack of dingoes.

The incident occurred early Monday morning on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island off Australia’s eastern coast, a popular destination for tourists and backpackers.

Authorities say the woman had been working at a hostel on the island for six weeks after travelling there with a friend from Canada. She reportedly told people she was going for an early morning swim around 5am local time.

Just over an hour later, two men driving past the beach found the woman’s body, with about 10 dingoes gathered around it.

Police Say Dingoes ‘Touched’ the Body – Cause of Death Unclear

Queensland Police Inspector Paul Algie said it is not yet known whether the dingoes were responsible for the woman’s death.

“I can confirm that the woman’s body had been touched and interfered with by the dingoes,” he said, but added that police are not speculating about whether the animals caused her death.

Dingoes are protected as a native species in Queensland’s national parks, and authorities have urged visitors not to approach or feed the wild animals.

Inspector Algie warned: “They’re wild animals and they need to be treated as such.”

Local Community ‘Horrified’ by the Incident

The incident has deeply affected the island’s tight-knit community. Algie said police officers stationed on K’Gari are locals who have been speaking with residents all day, describing the reaction as “horrified and shocked.”

The woman’s body has been taken to the mainland and is due to undergo an autopsy on Wednesday.

Queensland police have also notified the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to contact the victim’s family.