A group of dingoes discovered surrounding the deceased body of a young Canadian woman on a beach in Australia will be eliminated, officials announced on Saturday. The family of 19-year-old Piper James, a native of Campbell River, B.C., stated that she went for an early morning swim on K’gari, an island off Australia’s eastern coast on Monday.
Authorities in Queensland mentioned that her body was found shortly after, encircled and disturbed by around 10 dingoes, a species of wild dogs. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism stated in an online release that initial autopsy results indicated that dingo bites were likely not the direct cause of James’s death.
The statement highlighted that the pack of dingoes displayed aggressive behavior, prompting concerns about public safety. Consequently, the decision was made to euthanize the dingoes involved in the incident. Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell supported the decision, acknowledging it as a difficult but necessary action.
Piper’s father, Todd James, expressed sadness over the news, mentioning that the final autopsy report is still pending. The family plans to conduct a “smoke ceremony” for Piper in Australia and bring her remains back home next week. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $20,000 to assist the family.
Piper James had been traveling in Australia since October with a friend, securing a job on K’gari, a popular spot for tourists and backpackers. Known for its dingo population, K’gari, the world’s largest sand island, is advised by the Queensland government to practice caution around dingoes.
Following James’s death, two beach camping areas have been closed until late February, and ranger patrols have been heightened. The incident on K’gari is part of a series of dingo attacks, with past occurrences including a fatal attack in 2001 and a mauling in 2023.
Friends and family described James as a courageous and adventurous individual who aspired to be a pilot. The cause of her death is still under investigation, with the Coroners Court of Queensland awaiting pathology results to determine the exact circumstances.