Utilisation of stranded marine fauna washed ashore on K’gari (Fraser Island), Australia, by dingoes

Stranded marine fauna, such as dead cetaceans and marine turtles, provide a substantial and regular food source for dingoes on K’gari (Fraser Island), Australia. Between 2006 and 2016, an average of 30.3 tons of carrion was available annually, supporting the dietary needs of roughly 5–10% of the island’s dingo population. Camera traps revealed that dingoes, including entire packs, visited carcasses daily after a short decomposition period, indicating significant reliance on marine subsidies. This study highlights how marine strandings can influence terrestrial carnivore diet, behavior, and abundance, potentially leading to cascading effects in terrestrial ecosystems.

Behrendorff, L., Leung, L. K.-P., & Allen, B. L. (2018). Utilisation of stranded marine fauna washed ashore on K’gari (Fraser Island), Australia, by dingoes. Australian Journal of Zoology, 66(2), 128–138. https://doi.org/10.1071/zo18022