In an extraordinary display of wild behaviour, a dingo on Queensland's famous K'gari island has been filmed capturing a shark from the surf, demonstrating the remarkable adaptability of Australia's native canine.
Unusual Catch Captured on Camera
The remarkable incident occurred on the eastern side of K'gari, north of Eurong, when a fisherman accidentally caught what is believed to be a young whaler shark. After attempting to release the ocean predator twice, events took an unexpected turn.
A quick-thinking dingo shot through the shallow water and grabbed the shark as it began swimming back out to sea. The shocked fisherman immediately reached for his phone, capturing the unusual moment as the dingo ran off with its unexpected prize.
Dingo Diet and Behaviour Explained
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) confirmed that dingoes are highly adaptable predators. A department spokesperson explained that "the dingo is an opportunistic and generalist predator that will search widely for food and eat whatever it finds."
While dingoes typically consume small to medium native mammals, birds and reptiles, they're known to expand their diet to include fish, crustaceans, insects, eggs and fruit depending on availability. Their willingness to scavenge carcasses and seize unexpected opportunities makes them unpredictable hunters.
Recent Shark Activity and Safety Concerns
The unusual catch comes amid increased shark activity in the region. Just last week, hundreds of sharks, many believed to be whalers, were spotted off Moreton Island, attracted by a giant bait ball - large formations of schooling fish that confuse predators.
While this incident showcases fascinating wildlife behaviour, it follows a recent dingo attack on K'gari where a six-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital after being bitten. The boy received treatment for head injuries and bite wounds at Rainbow Beach, highlighting that despite their fascinating behaviour, dingoes remain wild, opportunistic and unpredictable animals that demand respect.
Dingoes are Australia's only native canid and are thought to be descended from south Asian wolves, making such unique behavioural observations valuable for understanding these iconic Australian animals.
