Washing is being torn from clotheslines as packs of dingoes circle camp sites — the latest proof the wild dogs are growing more accustomed to humans on Fraser Island (K'Gari).
Breeding season for dingoes is between March and May on the World Heritage-listed sand island, meaning the animals are at their most aggressive as they move about looking for mates.
Nine people have now been attacked on the island in the past three years — the latest victim, a two-year-old boy, last weekend.
He was rescued by a group of tourists at the neighbouring house after being bitten on the head, neck and legs at Orchid Beach.
He was flown to the Bundaberg Hospital but has since been discharged.
'It's pretty unusual'
The Richards family had washing ripped from their line while camping north of Orchid Beach over the Easter school holidays.
Father-of-three Tim Richards said dingoes ventured closer than usual this year, expecting to be fed.
"First day we were here and had all our washing out — a bikini, dress and boardshorts went missing and then were ripped up the following morning when we woke up. It's pretty unusual," Mr Richards said.
"There were about three to six I think.
"Normally we just have a lone dingo roaming around but they've been pretty confident this time."
'Don't feed dingoes'
An increase in close encounters with residents and visitors and the continued feeding of the wild animals has prompted Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers to close six campgrounds until at least June.
Ranger-in-charge Linda Behrendorff said feeding the animals has led to high-risk situations where people have been bitten, sometimes through no fault of their own.
"It's quite selfish — they want to get these up-close photos, draw them in by offering food or drawing them closer to their car or even in some instances trying to attract the dingo to pat it," Ms Behrendorff said.
"I don't believe they understand the implications of their actions.
Ms Behrendorff said last year's bushfires caused some people to believe dingoes needed supplementary food, but that wasn't required and has caused other issues.
"The average weight of a dingo would be 15 to 16.5 kilograms, these particular animals that aren't even 12 months old yet are weighing in at around 18 kilograms … that makes them dangerous in these situations," she said.
"Dingoes have so much food here that it's one of the least of their concerns.
"The dingo-safe messaging includes staying close to your kids, camp in a fenced area if you've got kids — don't feed dingoes."
Two decades since fatal attack … what's changed?
This month marks the 20th anniversary of Clinton Gage's death on the island.
The nine-year-old was attacked and killed by two dingoes while walking near a sand blow at Waddy Point in 2001.
Fencing has been increased around camping areas in the two decades since Clinton's death, but the recent spike in aggressive behaviour has caused renewed debate about balancing the safety of both humans and dingoes.
Mr Richards said his family's latest experience had taken them by surprise.
"The kids were a little bit scared when they were sleeping," he said.
"We sort of just try and ignore them but you see a lot of people getting up close and interacting, which is annoying."
The Department of Environment and Science said there were on-the-spot fines of $2,088 with a maximum penalty of $10,444 for feeding or disturbing dingoes.
