Australian authorities have announced plans to cull a pack of dingoes that were found near the body of a young Canadian woman who died on a beach in Australia. Piper James, a 19-year-old from Campbell River, B.C., went for an early-morning swim on K’gari, an island off Australia’s east coast, and was later found surrounded by about 10 dingoes.
While initial autopsy findings indicate that dingo bites were likely not the direct cause of James’s death, the government’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism has labeled the pack as a public safety risk due to their aggressive behavior following the incident. As a result, the dingoes involved will be euthanized.
Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell supported the decision, acknowledging the impact of the tragedy on people worldwide. James’s family, including her father Todd James, expressed sadness over the situation and mentioned plans for a smoke ceremony in Australia to honor her memory.
James had been traveling in Australia since October with a friend and had secured a job on K’gari, a popular tourist destination known for its dingo population. The island, the world’s largest sand island, has a history of dingo-related incidents, prompting increased ranger patrols and temporary closures of beach camping areas.
The incident has drawn attention to past dingo attacks on K’gari, including a fatal attack on a nine-year-old boy in 2001. While the investigation into James’s death continues, her family and friends remember her as a brave and adventurous individual with a passion for flying. The official cause of death is pending further pathology results, a process expected to take several weeks.