The heartbroken parents of a Canadian backpacker, who is believed to have drowned on the world heritage-listed sand island of K'gari off the Queensland coast, have embarked on an emotional journey to Australia. Todd and Angela James touched down in Brisbane from Vancouver on Tuesday morning, marking the first stage of their pilgrimage to the island formerly known as Fraser Island.
A Solemn Pilgrimage to Walk in Their Daughter's Footsteps
Upon arrival, the couple declined to speak to waiting press at the airport, but Todd James has previously expressed his profound grief on social media. In a heartfelt Facebook post, he shared that it is now time to go to Australia to be with Piper, to walk where she last walked, and to try to feel the spirit of his baby girl in some way. He emphasised that they will return with Piper back home to Canada, underscoring the personal nature of this tragic trip.
Traditional Ceremony to Honour Piper's Memory
Later this week, the James family will visit K'gari for a traditional smoking ceremony conducted by the island's Butchulla traditional owners. This ceremony will take place on the beach near the SS Maheno wreck, where Piper was found in the early hours of 19 January after she went for an early morning solo swim. Christine Royan, director of the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, explained that this ceremony is important cultural protocol, designed to bring calm to the land, acknowledge Piper's spirit, and offer healing to all involved.
Ongoing Investigation into the Tragic Incident
A coroner's preliminary assessment, released four days after James's death, found physical evidence consistent with drowning, as well as injuries consistent with dingo bites. However, it noted that these bites were unlikely to have been fatal. As of Tuesday afternoon, the coroner was still awaiting pathology results to further assist in determining the cause of death, a process expected to take several weeks.
Controversial Dingo Cull Sparks Concerns
Despite the ongoing investigation, Queensland's environment minister, Andrew Powell, announced nine days ago that an entire pack of 10 dingoes would be euthanised. This decision has led dingo experts to warn of an extinction vortex for Australia's only native canid on K'gari, where they have likely roamed for thousands of years. Dr Kylie Cairns, an expert on dingo genetics at the University of New South Wales, has highlighted that with less than 200 isolated individuals, the K'gari dingo population already suffers from low genetic diversity and high levels of inbreeding.
Angela James, Piper's mother, has told the national broadcaster that both parents believe killing the dingoes is the last thing Piper would want. However, a department spokesperson defended the cull, stating that rangers deemed the canids an unacceptable public safety risk after observing aggressive behaviour over a week of close monitoring.
Historical Context and Current Status of the Cull
This tragedy is the latest in an escalating string of aggressive encounters between dingoes and tourists on K'gari, and it marks the first death since nine-year-old Clinton Gage was killed by two dingoes in 2001, after which 32 dingoes were culled. On Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for Queensland's environment department confirmed that eight dingoes had been humanely euthanised, with the operation ongoing and one dingo still outstanding.
Traditional Owners Express Disappointment
Traditional owners have expressed that they were not consulted nor involved in the decision to euthanise the dingoes, whom they call wongari and consider sacred. This lack of consultation adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious situation, highlighting the cultural and environmental tensions at play.
As the James family prepares to say their final goodbyes in a ceremony steeped in tradition, the debate over dingo management on K'gari continues to unfold, balancing public safety with conservation efforts and cultural respect.
