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Boy in hospital after latest Fraser Island dingo attack

Dingo attacks are a grim reminder that nature is red in tooth and claw.

Dingo attacks are a grim reminder that nature is red in tooth and claw. Photo: Getty

A boy has become the fourth young victim of a dingo bite on the Queensland island of Fraser Island in as many weeks.

Of seven dingo-related incidents since December 10, six  have involved children.

The latest victim was bitten at a campsite on the western side of Fraser Island, which has the Indigenous name K’gari.

He was taken from the Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village to Hervey Bay on Saturday by boat to undergo treatment at Hervey Bay Hospital.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers are now investigating the fourth dingo bite incident in four weeks, after a man and two children were attacked in January.

A man was bitten on the back of his leg on January 15 while standing next to his car in the Hook Point barge area.

The animal left the area after the man got back in khis vehicle.

Most victims are children

Three days before that, a primary school-aged girl was taken to hospital with significant leg injuries after she was bitten multiple times while swimming near Hook Point.

A seven-year-old girl was bitten on January 4 after her mother tried to take a photo of a dingo.

The mother got out of their car for a picture but didn’t realise her daughter had also gotten out.

The girl ran when she became frightened after the dingo approached her and was bitten on the thigh.

The dingo involved in the three-person attack in January was humanely euthanised, in what park rangers said was a last resort after the animal displayed “increasingly dangerous behaviour”.

Visitors to K’gari are reminded to travel in groups and always stay within arm’s reach of children and young teens.

Campers should lock and store food in secure containers located separate from a tent along with rubbish, fish or bait, and never feed the animals.

Visitors should avoid running or jogging, which can trigger negative dingo responses.

-AAP

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