A Canadian backpacker, 19-year-old Piper James, died from drowning after a dingo attack on K'Gari Island, formerly Fraser Island, in Queensland. Her body was discovered on a beach surrounded by approximately ten dingoes on January 19th. State coroners confirmed the drowning occurred in the setting of multiple injuries sustained from the dingo attack. Investigations are ongoing.
At least six of the dingoes found near James's body were euthanized. K'Gari is home to about 200 protected dingoes. James had been working at a local hostel and told friends she was going for an early morning swim. Her parents remembered her as a kind spirit who loved watching the sunrise over the ocean. The last fatal dingo attack on the island was in 2001.