The BAC’s Communication and Education Officer, Tessa Waia, has been stepping up the BAC’s involvement in wongari (dingo) management on K’gari.

Aside from their role as an apex predator, Wongari are culturally significant to the Butchulla people. Before European settlers came to K’gari, there were two types of dingoes on the island – Wat’dha (the camp dingo) and Wongari (the wild dingo). Wat’dha were Butchulla companions, helping to hunt, track, and protect the Butchulla from bad spirits.  After the Butchulla people were removed from K’gari only the Wongari remained.

Since starting in the role Tessa has participated in two necropsy sessions – used to provide or confirm a cause of death for wongari discovered on K’gari. It’s not a glamorous job, but as Tessa says, “It’s an important process and interesting to know what’s happened. We undertake a health check and assess the animals for heartworm, diet, and fat content.”

The BAC team also participated in education and interpretation days on K’gari over the Easter and June-July School Holidays. Tessa and the new RAM (Recreation Area Management) Rangers assisted Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service officers to deliver Wongari-Wise (Dingo-Safe) messages to visitors – encouraging families to stay safe and give wongari space. 

Tessa attended the NAIDOC celebrations in Brisbane with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service talking about K’gari’s wongari and the role of Butchulla Rangers in protecting and managing Country.

Tessa and Darren Blake will also be delivering a wongari presentation: Promoting Wongari-Wise Behaviour on K’gari at the National Inaugural First Nations Dingo Forum being held from 15-16 September 2023 in Cairns. The Dingo Forum aims to provide a space for First Nations people to express their views and concerns regarding the cultural and environmental values of the dingo, and highlighting how First Nations people may wish to be involved.

The Forum will provide a First Nations perspective on the dingo, with the potential to develop a culturally appropriate policy framework and National Statement that provides a First Nations people’s voice on the dingo’s cultural values within current legislation.

Article submitted by Tessa Waia, Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation