Aborigines fight dingo cull
2001-05-03 20:43
Brisbane - Aboriginal leaders said on Thursday they would go to court to stop the
Queensland State government culling dingoes that mauled a nine-year-old boy to death on a remote tourist
island.
Park rangers confirmed they had so far killed 12 dingoes, including
two believed responsible for the death of nine-year-old Clinton
Gage on Monday.
Traditional Aboriginal owners of part of Fraser Island called for
an end to the cull otherwise they would seek a court injunction.
Sherrill O'Connor, solicitor for the Ngulungbara people, said the
cull was a violation of World Heritage legislation which covers the
island.
But Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said although he respected the
"passionately held" views of environmentalists and indigenous
people, rangers would continue to clear dingoes from camping areas.
"I know there is criticism of our decision to cull - I would
simply state that a young boy has died," he told state parliament.
"We take no pleasure in this but we have a duty of care to
residents and visitors."
Some 30 to 40 of the 160 dingoes on Fraser Island have been
destroyed over the last 10 years during which time 20 people have
been attacked.
Tourists have been blamed for the problem by feeding the dogs
scraps.
Aborigines say they never had any problems with the dogs.
- Sapa-AFP
- SAPA