A female security officer is recieving hospital treatment after being attacked by a pair of Dingoes at a gold and copper mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia on Wednesday 18 July 2018. Debbie Rundle, 54, was attacked in an area set aside for food consumption within the compound of the Newcrest Mining operated Telfer Mine in East Pilbara, and recieved deep wounds to her arms, legs and torso, for which she is being treated at the Royal Perth Hospital. Dingos are known to be a problem around the mine sites in the area, but are normally timid animals, with attacks being extremely rare and none previously reported at a mine.
A wild Dingo at a mine site in Western Australia. Bradley Smith/ABC.
There are thought to be about 100 Dingos living around the Telfer Mine site, an exceptionally large number for an animal that normally lives in small family groups with large terretories. They are thought to be attracted to the site by food rubbish, which provides a rich source of nutrition compared to their normal desert diet. This easy availability of food appears to be leading them to lose their natural fear of Humans (who, in turn, do not always recognise Dingos as potentially harmful wild animals), creating the potential for conflict between the two species.
Mine employee Debbie Rundle, attacked by a pair of wild Dingos at Telfer in East Pilbara on 18 July 2018. 9News Australia.
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