Douglas's Dingoes are out and about

Port Douglas Dingoes

Bryan Littlely

Journalist

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One of the dingoes spotted in the streets of Port Douglas over the weekend.
Two dingoes seem unphased by traffic in suburban Port Douglas.

Newsport readers are reporting increased sightings of dingoes in Port Douglas, a local dog walker suggesting he was stalked by one last week as he walked his small dog.

And local real estate agent Rosie Wang on the weekend captured these pictures in a suburban street of two dingoes bold enough to not be bothered by passing traffic.

Dingo sightings in Port Douglas are common and locals have strived to keep secret precise locations of sightings to protect the welfare of the animals.

One caused a stir more than a decade ago when it was spotted on Davidson Street.

DINGO ON DAVIDSON

Local dingo expert Luke Cooper said in a letter in September 2023 that “curious” dingos are not stalking and they are aware of the danger humans pose to them, and will watch from a distance.

READ LUKE’S LETTER

And a Victorian family had a fantastic chance encounter with the Douglas dingoes in July this year which prompted Newsport to report on the event but shield the location it took place to support the much loved animals. 

CHANCE ENCOUNTER

But it is not all positive news for dingos in the region. A well known dingo on the grounds of Sheraton Mirage was captured and euthanised in September last year when deemed an “unacceptable risk to the public”.

CAPTURED AND KILLED

And in October, Newsport reported on the concerns of cattle farmer Peter Dutallis that wild dogs, or dingoes, had killed two of his young calves on his Killaloe property.

WILD DOGS ATTACK

Dingoes have been a part of Port Douglas for more than 35 years, surviving development and co-existing with people, even entertaining them at times, our coverage suggests.

Being aware of them, giving them space and not impeding on them and their homes should keep both people and the dingoes safe.

 

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