Authorities in Australia are grappling with dual threats as officials close dozens of beaches on the east coast due to a series of shark attacks, while also investigating the death of a young woman possibly linked to dingoes. The 19-year-old Canadian woman, who has not been publicly identified, was found deceased on K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, in Queensland on January 1, 2024.
Police received reports early Monday morning regarding a body discovered near the Maheno shipwreck, a site popular with tourists. According to Police Inspector Paul Algie, the woman’s body was surrounded by a pack of about ten dingoes when it was found. Algie noted that there were markings on her body consistent with having been touched by the dingoes, although he emphasized that it is too early to determine the exact cause of death.
The woman had been working at a local tourist accommodation for approximately six weeks. “She was a young, healthy Canadian woman who was enjoying the trip of a lifetime and working in a beautiful part of the world,” Algie stated. Results from the post-mortem examination are expected by January 3, 2024.
In a related incident, a rise in shark attacks prompted officials to close beaches in New South Wales. Over the past two days, four shark attacks occurred, leaving two individuals in critical condition. One of the attacks took place at Point Plomer, where a 39-year-old surfer sustained minor injuries. Steve Pearce, the chief executive of Surf Life Saving New South Wales, advised swimmers to avoid the ocean, suggesting they opt for local pools instead, as murky waters from recent rain have heightened shark activity.
In Sydney, a surfer in his 20s was reported to be in critical condition after being bitten at North Steyne Beach in the Northern Beaches area. Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins expressed the community’s shock, referencing the recent death of Mercury Psillakis, a 57-year-old surfer killed by a great white shark in September 2023.
Earlier on the same day, a boy narrowly escaped injury when a shark bit his surfboard at Dee Why Beach. The beaches in the Northern Beaches area will remain closed until at least January 3, 2024, as officials continue to monitor the situation.
In another serious incident, a 12-year-old boy was attacked by a shark while jumping off rocks near Shark Beach in Vaucluse, eastern Sydney, resulting in severe injuries to both legs. In light of these events, organizers of the upcoming Sydney Harbour Splash, an annual ocean swimming event scheduled for January 26, have canceled the event out of respect for the young boy and his family.
As Australia enters the peak of its summer season, beaches are typically crowded with locals and tourists alike. Despite the heightened fears, both dingoes and sharks rarely attack humans unprovoked. Statistics from the Australian Shark Attack File indicate an average of 20 injury-causing shark incidents annually, with fewer than three resulting in fatalities, a stark contrast to the higher number of drownings and road accidents each year.
The current situation serves as a reminder for beachgoers to exercise caution in the water and remain vigilant in areas known for wildlife.
