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Ranger-in-Charge Linda Behrendorff said a member of the public had spotted the pup with fishhooks in its leg and fishing line wrapped around it, near the Waddy Point camping area.
“Visitors and residents are reminded that they must be careful while fishing from the island, and keep their fishing tackle boxes closed and attempt to retrieve broken fishing line where safe,” Behrendorff said.
“Where possible, fishers should not leave bait attached to hooks under any circumstances, as this can attract wongari and get them snared.”
Earlier this week, rangers tracked the wongari, but could not get close enough to attempt to capture it.
“The animal seemed to be jumping around and was yelping, it stopped yelping and we lost sight of it in the thick bush and despite searching the area for another hour, we couldn’t find it,” Behrendorff said.
“Because it stopped yelping and was able to move quickly out of sight suggests that it either managed to pull the hooks out or the line tangled on the thick bush and ripped out the embedded hooks.”
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However, even if the hooks were gone, Behrendorff said, there was still a risk of infection, and so the search would contiue.
“If we find the wongari and confirm that the hooks are still embedded, it will have to be sedated, the hooks removed and the wound cleaned with antiseptic,” she said.
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“We don’t know how the hooks became embedded in the wongari’s leg, but I’d like to remind all visitors and residents to the island to keep their food and bait secure, and never feed wongari.”
People who break the law by deliberately feeding or interacting with wongari, or failing to secure their food and rubbish, can be fined.
People can report wildlife entanglements with fishing equipment by calling (07) 4127 9150.
