A woman found dead on K’gari has been identified as Canadian 19-year-old Piper James.
Two men driving south on the island’s eastern beach discovered her body surrounded by a large pack of dingoes about 6:35am on Monday.
“It was a very traumatic and horrific scene for them to uncover,” Queensland Police Service Inspector Paul Algie said.Â
The woman, who had been working on the island for six weeks, told friends and co-workers she was going for a swim about 5am.
The woman’s body was found near the Maheno shipwreck.
 (ABC Wide Bay: James Taylor)
Inspector Algie said the woman died within the intervening hour and a half, but it was too early to confirm the cause of her death.
“Dingoes had physically been in contact with the body,” Inspector Algie said.
“We simply can’t confirm whether she drowned or died as a result of being attacked by dingo.”
Police say the woman’s body was surrounded by dingoes. (ABC Wide Bay: James Taylor)
Police are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination, which was expected to happen on Wednesday.
Police said they had contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who would inform the woman’s family.
“She was a young woman enjoying a beautiful part of the world, and that’s what makes this such a tragedy,” Inspector Algie said.
Police have been sweeping the area the woman is believed to have been in. (ABC Wide Bay: James Taylor)
The woman’s body was taken to the mainland on Monday afternoon.
By Tuesday afternoon, a bouquet of native flowers had been placed on a sand dune overlooking the beach where Ms James’s body had been found.
A bouquet of native flowers was placed by Ms James’ loved ones, overlooking the beach where her body was found. (ABC Wide Bay: James C Taylor)
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said it was a shocking tragedy.
“It’s very concerning. We’ve seen an increasing number of dingo attacks over the years, including increasing severity,” Cr Seymour said.
“We are watching this very closely.”
Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers are increasing their patrols on the island in the aftermath of the death.
The woman’s body was found north of the Maheno shipwreck on the eastern side of K’gari. (ABC News)
The Queensland government said a campsite nearby to where the woman’s body was found had also been temporarily closed and five signs had been installed on the island to warn of dingo activity.
Wildlife dangers
K’gari attracts about 400,000 visitors each year and is the world’s largest sand island.
Dingoes, known traditionally as Wongari, can be a part of the attraction but they also pose a danger, which often garners worldwide attention.
There are signs warning of the dangers posed by dingoes are the island. (ABC News: Cam Lang/File)
Visitors to K’gari are reminded to stay dingo safe when visiting the island. (ABC News)
The last reported fatal dingo attack on the island occurred in 2001, when nine-year-old boy Clinton Gage was killed by a dingo after tripping and falling near a campsite.
Acting Minister for the Environment and Tourism Deb Frecklington said the department was working closely with Queensland police as they continued their investigation.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy that has understandably left many Queenslanders reeling,” Ms Frecklington said.
A spokesperson for the High Commission of Canada in Canberra extended condolences to the family and loved ones.
“We are aware of the death of a Canadian citizen in Australia, and Canadian officials are providing consular assistance to the family,” they said.