Hefty fines for feeding wild dingoes
2001-06-12 12:53
Brisbane, Australia - Tourists caught feeding wild dogs at a popular Australian resort will be ejected from the island and face hefty fines under new measures meant to protect visitors, a state government said on Tuesday.
The plans by the Queensland state government come after a
9-year-old boy was mauled to death and his brother was injured by
two dingoes on Fraser Island, off Australia's east coast, in April.
Queensland premier Peter Beattie said four new rangers will be
hired to patrol the world heritage-listed island and enforce the
no-feeding policy.
Those caught feeding dingoes face fines of up to Aus$3 000 (US$1 600) and will be removed from the island, he said.
Commercial tour operators caught feeding dingoes will lose their
operating permit, and three popular camping sites will be fenced to keep dingoes out, Beattie added.
"We will do everything we can to ensure such a tragic loss of life does not happen again," he said.
- AP