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January 25, 2026 — 4:01pm
Rangers on K’gari will begin tracking down dingoes suspected to have attacked Canadian backpacker Piper James before she was found dead on the island last week.
Police released a preliminary coroner’s report on Friday evening, which indicated the 19-year-old had been attacked by the animals before she died, and pointed to her primary cause of death as drowning.
James was found at 6.30am on Monday last week near the water at 75 Mile Beach on K’gari. She was surrounded by dingoes that the report said had continued biting her after her death.
On Sunday afternoon, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said rangers on the Fraser Coast sand island had continued monitoring the pack and recorded “aggressive behaviours”.
“Following the initial autopsy findings, this pack’s involvement in the incident, and observations since, this pack has been deemed an unacceptable public safety risk,” a spokesperson for the department said.
“Dingoes involved in Monday’s incident will be humanely euthanised.”
Additional ranger patrols were assigned to the popular tourist destination last week and some campgrounds were closed.
The department said there was no continuing risk to public safety during the euthanasia process.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell agreed with the department’s “tough decision”, saying it was within the public interest.
“This tragedy has deeply affected Queenslanders and touched the hearts of people around the world,” he said.
“K’gari Fraser Island remains open, and we are supporting our tourism operators as they continue to showcase the Fraser Coast as an incredible place to visit.”
Police said the investigation into James’ death was continuing, but the release of the initial autopsy findings meant her body could be returned to her family in Canada.
Piper’s father, Todd James, told Nine News last week that at least two rounds of tests had been performed on his daughter.
Ahead of the report being released last week, police confirmed that James’ body had been “interfered with by dingoes”.
They offered three potential causes of death: she drowned before dingoes came across her remains; the dingoes attacked her and killed her; or she was chased into the water by the animals and drowned.
The coroner’s report did not specify whether the bite wounds James suffered before she died were fatal, instead finding they were “not likely to have caused immediate death”.
A Coroners Court of Queensland spokesperson said no one else had been involved in the 19-year-old’s death.
“The autopsy has found physical evidence consistent with drowning, and injuries consistent with dingo bites,” the spokesperson said.
“There is no evidence that any other person was involved.”
Premier David Crisafulli told media on Friday the government was waiting for the autopsy results before acting.
The state government remained tight-lipped on Saturday, while Health Minister Tim Nicholls confirmed on Sunday that Powell was in talks with key stakeholders.
