Latest news with #DETSI
Sky News AU
17-07-2025
- Sky News AU
Authorities investigating shocking dingo death on K'gari after vehicle strike and deliberate mutilation discovered
An investigation is underway after a gruesome discovery was made on K'gari, with a protected dingo found dead and decapitated near a popular stretch of beach on the world heritage-listed island. The animal was located by park rangers on June 1 at Ngkala Rocks, a remote area on the island's eastern coast north of Waddy Point. An independent veterinary assessment later confirmed the dingo had died after being hit by a vehicle and was then deliberately decapitated. Officials from Queensland's Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) have launched an appeal for public help, asking anyone who may have visited the Orchid Beach and Waddy Point region or who may have dashcam footage between late May and early June to come forward. The incident marks the latest in a string of troubling events involving dingoes on K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island. In May, a separate dingo was stabbed and later euthanised after it was involved in an attack on a child. The Queensland Ambulance Service said the child was bitten on his underarm but left with no serious injuries. The dingo was stabbed in the neck by a man who was attempting to help the child. The man in question was not charged. In the same location in early May, a dingo swam into knee-deep water and bit a fisherman on his leg, while three women were attacked when they were on a tour in April. Rangers are now calling on drivers to slow down and remain vigilant, particularly along beach access areas, as a number of dingoes have reportedly been struck and killed by vehicles in recent weeks. Dingoes are listed as a protected species under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992, with strict laws in place to safeguard their welfare. The penalties for harming a dingo including wilful killing or removing body parts from the island are severe, carrying fines of up to $483,900 or two years behind bars. Rangers say they are committed to protecting the island's unique wildlife and are treating the latest case as an act of serious concern.
7NEWS
16-07-2025
- 7NEWS
Investigation into protected dingo found deliberately decapitated on K'gari, Queensland
Authorities are investigating the deliberate decapitation of a protected native animal on a popular tourist island in Queensland. Park rangers on the world heritage-listed K'gari Island found a dead dingo at Ngkala Rocks on the eastern side of the island, north of Waddy Point, on June 1. The dingo was believed to have been hit and killed by a car. Alarmingly, however, the rangers discovered the protected animal had also been deliberately decapitated. An independent veterinary examination confirmed the ranger's findings, with the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) now investigating the dingo's death. 'Anyone who was visiting the Orchid Beach and Waddy Point area north to Ngkala Rocks in late May or early June or has dashcam footage is urged to contact DETSI,' a spokesperson said. Dingoes are protected in Queensland National Parks as a native species under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. The maximum penalty if convicted of wilfully killing a protected animal on K'gari is $483,900 or two years imprisonment. The same penalty applies to the taking of parts of a deceased protected animal from K'gari. Rangers on K'gari have also asked people to drive cautiously on the beach following recent deaths of dingoes due to suspected vehicle strikes.
The Advertiser
14-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Fires, dogs, guns, dirt bikes: illegal hut in national park lands hefty fines
Thousands of dollars in fines have been laid against a group of would-be outdoorsmen who allegedly cleared trees in an Australian national park to build an illegal hut. The group, consisting of 18 people, also allegedly used the hut on Queensland's Curtis Island National Park as a base for other illegal activities before the structure was discovered in August 2024. The group was fined for starting illegal fires, bringing domestic dogs onto the island, hunting with guns and other weapons, as well as driving cars and motorbikes through restricted access areas. This alleged offending put rangers, neighbours, other park users, native wildlife and the environment at risk, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) said. Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks Regional Director Tina Alderson said the hut would be removed by park rangers. "People who want to build a hut for their own personal use for activities such as fishing, hunting and vehicle-based activities can do so on private land but not in a national park," she said. "Multiple fines and warnings have been issued for illegal activity within the protected areas of Curtis Island, and eighteen offenders have been identified," she said. "[Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service] is serious about compliance, and anyone who builds an illegal structure in a protected area will be caught." DETSI issued 22 penalty infringement notices with fines totalling $7606, with two people receiving fines of more than $1000 for their alleged roles in the offending. READ MORE: Proposed price hikes at popular camping sites slammed Thousands of dollars in fines have been laid against a group of would-be outdoorsmen who allegedly cleared trees in an Australian national park to build an illegal hut. The group, consisting of 18 people, also allegedly used the hut on Queensland's Curtis Island National Park as a base for other illegal activities before the structure was discovered in August 2024. The group was fined for starting illegal fires, bringing domestic dogs onto the island, hunting with guns and other weapons, as well as driving cars and motorbikes through restricted access areas. This alleged offending put rangers, neighbours, other park users, native wildlife and the environment at risk, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) said. Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks Regional Director Tina Alderson said the hut would be removed by park rangers. "People who want to build a hut for their own personal use for activities such as fishing, hunting and vehicle-based activities can do so on private land but not in a national park," she said. "Multiple fines and warnings have been issued for illegal activity within the protected areas of Curtis Island, and eighteen offenders have been identified," she said. "[Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service] is serious about compliance, and anyone who builds an illegal structure in a protected area will be caught." DETSI issued 22 penalty infringement notices with fines totalling $7606, with two people receiving fines of more than $1000 for their alleged roles in the offending. READ MORE: Proposed price hikes at popular camping sites slammed Thousands of dollars in fines have been laid against a group of would-be outdoorsmen who allegedly cleared trees in an Australian national park to build an illegal hut. The group, consisting of 18 people, also allegedly used the hut on Queensland's Curtis Island National Park as a base for other illegal activities before the structure was discovered in August 2024. The group was fined for starting illegal fires, bringing domestic dogs onto the island, hunting with guns and other weapons, as well as driving cars and motorbikes through restricted access areas. This alleged offending put rangers, neighbours, other park users, native wildlife and the environment at risk, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) said. Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks Regional Director Tina Alderson said the hut would be removed by park rangers. "People who want to build a hut for their own personal use for activities such as fishing, hunting and vehicle-based activities can do so on private land but not in a national park," she said. "Multiple fines and warnings have been issued for illegal activity within the protected areas of Curtis Island, and eighteen offenders have been identified," she said. "[Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service] is serious about compliance, and anyone who builds an illegal structure in a protected area will be caught." DETSI issued 22 penalty infringement notices with fines totalling $7606, with two people receiving fines of more than $1000 for their alleged roles in the offending. READ MORE: Proposed price hikes at popular camping sites slammed Thousands of dollars in fines have been laid against a group of would-be outdoorsmen who allegedly cleared trees in an Australian national park to build an illegal hut. The group, consisting of 18 people, also allegedly used the hut on Queensland's Curtis Island National Park as a base for other illegal activities before the structure was discovered in August 2024. The group was fined for starting illegal fires, bringing domestic dogs onto the island, hunting with guns and other weapons, as well as driving cars and motorbikes through restricted access areas. This alleged offending put rangers, neighbours, other park users, native wildlife and the environment at risk, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) said. Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks Regional Director Tina Alderson said the hut would be removed by park rangers. "People who want to build a hut for their own personal use for activities such as fishing, hunting and vehicle-based activities can do so on private land but not in a national park," she said. "Multiple fines and warnings have been issued for illegal activity within the protected areas of Curtis Island, and eighteen offenders have been identified," she said. "[Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service] is serious about compliance, and anyone who builds an illegal structure in a protected area will be caught." DETSI issued 22 penalty infringement notices with fines totalling $7606, with two people receiving fines of more than $1000 for their alleged roles in the offending. READ MORE: Proposed price hikes at popular camping sites slammed
ABC News
26-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
2.5m crocodile found in 'atypical' Mary River habitat to be removed
Queensland wildlife officers are searching for a crocodile seen basking on the bank of the Mary River near Maryborough. The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) received a report on Tuesday of the crocodile being spotted near the town of Dundathu. The person who submitted the report saw a 2.5-metre crocodile on the riverbank before it slid into the river, a DETSI spokesperson said. Wildlife officers inspected the site on Wednesday and are attempting to capture the crocodile. DETSI is asking anyone who sees a crocodile in the Mary River or Wide Bay region to contact them. The sighting follows reports of crocodiles at Inskip Point in February and Bundaberg in January. A 3.8m crocodile was caught on the Mary River near Maryboroug in 2014 and relocated to a crocodile farm in Rockhampton.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Yahoo
Tradies forced to make $100,000 clean-up after selfish act at national park
'Disgusted' is how rangers are feeling after they discovered 200 tyres illegally tossed into an Aussie national park. On Friday, Queensland's environment department (DETSI) announced it had launched a joint investigation with council to find those responsible. The dumping ground was discovered inside a deep ravine in the Isla Gorge National Park, around 340km west of Bundaberg, creating a massive challenge for workers. The region is home to rare plants and animals, and is known for its gorges, sandstone outcrops and rock formations. Taking a single car tyre to the tip costs from $14, and so the culprits saved roughly $2,800 by dumping them. But their selfish act will impact taxpayers across the state, as the removal of the tyres took two days and required tradies with specialised skills. Authorities were forced to bring in a 130-tonne crane to remove the tyres for recycling. It's believed that hiring equipment of that size costs in excess of $100,000. Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrie called the act 'disgraceful'. Speaking with Yahoo News he said hauling the tyres out of the national park had delayed other essential work in the park. 'It's bloody terrible stuff. Someone would have got paid to pick those tyres up, and then they've come along and thrown them away where no one can see them,' he said. A senior ranger with DETSI said the dumping would have also polluted a sensitive environment, and put the park at an increased risk of fire. 'This shocking example of illegal dumping has delayed our planned burn program, and we are doing everything we can to remediate the site and find the person or business responsible,' he said. Authorities believe someone in the region knows which business or individual is responsible for the problem. 🚘 Hundreds of tyres mysteriously stacked up in family's driveway 🚨 Cops make 'extremely dangerous' find on ute tyres 🥶 Tradies unable to work and pipes freeze in icy Aussie town 'People involved in illegally dumping waste can receive hefty fines, and they can be ordered to clean up the mess,' the ranger said. Anyone with information is urged to contact DETSI on 1300 130 372 or the Banana Shire Council on (07) 4992 9500. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
