Dingoes, Western Science, Traditional Knowledge

and the K’gari (Fraser Island) Controversy

Posted 03 February 2026: Originally published as a Letter to the Editor, Courier Mail , Brisbane Qld., 30 January 2026

1.0 The decision of the Queensland’s Government’s Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation to euthanise dingoes on Queensland’s K’gari Island, following the death of a Canadian tourist, has created controversy and conflict.

2.0 However little consideration has been given in the public debate about one source of the existing controversy and the decision-making process by Government:

A collision between Western science and Traditional knowledge.

Given the history of K’gari and dingoes,

perhaps now is the time for a due diligence approach

based on a Western science/Traditional knowledge linkage to develop a

Risk Assessment and Management Plan to prevent history repeating.

READ MORE… on this topic that focusses on a conflict management and resolution perspective..

TAGS: K'gari; Fraser Island; dingoes; risk; Traditional knowledge; Western science; consultation; conflict resolution