Tributes for the teen have flown in on social media. Photo / Supplied
The parents of a Canadian backpacker found dead on a heritage-listed tourist destination in Queensland have voiced their opposition to the culling of several dingoes who were surrounding their child’s body.
The body of Piper James, 19, was found on Seventy Five Mile Beach on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) just after 5am last Monday, surrounded by a pack of dingoes.
Preliminary results from James’ autopsy found drowning was the most likely cause of death.
The results – which have been delivered to her family – also found evidence of “pre-mortem” dingo bites, but ruled out the bites as the cause of death.
Six dingoes who had surrounded the body have been “humanely euthanised” in a move that has outraged the traditional owners of K’gari.
On Saturday, the Queensland state government announced the pack of dingoes had been deemed an “unacceptable public safety risk”.
James’ father, Todd, also voiced his opposition to the move, taking to Facebook to confirm he had received a phone call from authorities about the fate of the animals.
He wrote: “Simply sad, heart-wrenching information. We haven’t even received the final autopsy report!”
Speaking to the ABC, James’ mother, Angela, said the couple stressed a cull was the “last thing” their daughter would want.
“She loved all animals, no matter what,” Angela James told the broadcaster.
“She wouldn’t want anything done to (the dingoes), they were there first. She knew that.”
Speaking to Australian Associated Press, James said: “We never wanted any animals hurt. We never wanted a cull for the dingoes, and I don’t think Piper would be supportive of any animals being put to sleep or euthanised because of a mistake that she made to put herself in that vulnerable position.
“But on the same token, just to be honest, I recognise for the safety of the island, maybe that pack needed to be euthanised .... but not because of Piper ... but because of the way they’ve been behaving,” he said.
Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation director Christine Royan said it was not contacted about the decision.
“Over the long weekend, Lake Boorangoora was overpopulated, too many people were there, it was just crowded,” she told the Courier Mail.
“We want a full inquiry into the management of Queensland Parks and Wildlife managing this island,” she said.
Queensland’s Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said the decision was made to prioritise public safety.
“We are aware of the initial findings of Piper James’ autopsy. We extend our deepest sympathies to Piper’s family and loved ones,” a spokesperson said.
“Rangers have closely monitored the pack of dingoes involved in the incident this week and have observed some aggressive behaviour.
“Following the initial autopsy findings, this pack’s involvement in the incident, and observations since, this pack has been deemed an unacceptable public safety risk.
“Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Rangers are currently implementing actions accordingly.
“There is no public safety risk during this process.
“Dingoes involved in Monday’s incident will be humanely euthanised.
“Public safety is our top priority, and this decision is informed and in the public interest,” they said.
A GoFundMe has also been established to help return Piper James’ body home to Canada.
On Saturday, Todd James took to Facebook to thank everyone for the “overwhelming amount of support” he and his wife are receiving.
“It can be so very dark at moments. It truly helps knowing we are not alone in the heartbreak,” he wrote.
“She was an incredible human!
“Next week Piper’s body will be repatriated home back to Campbell River where a celebration of her life will be held. Dates will follow.
“Again, thank you to everyone that has shared in the support we have received. Unable to process and replay to all but I know with time I will read and re-read them all! So thank you.”
He also said he and his wife had been invited to an Indigenous smoking ceremony to be held on K’gari, which he said they would be “honoured” to accept.
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