The parents of a young Canadian traveller whose life ended during a visit to one of Australia’s most treasured natural destinations have spoken publicly, expressing deep sadness and quiet disagreement with a decision that followed their daughter’s passing. Their words, marked by restraint and compassion, have resonated widely and reopened a broader conversation about how people and wildlife share protected places.
Nineteen-year-old Piper James was visiting K’gari, the World Heritage–listed island off the coast of Queensland, when she was found unresponsive on Seventy Five Mile Beach early last week. Preliminary findings shared with her family indicated that drowning was the most likely cause of her passing. Authorities also noted that dingoes were present at the scene and that there were signs of interaction prior to her death, though these were not identified as the cause.
In the days that followed, Queensland authorities announced that several dingoes from the group observed near the site would be humanely euthanised, citing concerns for public safety based on their behaviour. The decision was made after monitoring by wildlife rangers and was described as necessary to reduce future risk to visitors.
For Piper’s parents, Todd and Angela James, the announcement added another layer of sorrow to an already devastating time. Speaking openly, they shared that this was not a course of action they believed their daughter would have supported.
“She loved animals deeply,” Angela James said in an interview. “She understood that they belong there, that they were part of the island long before any of us arrived. This is not what she would have wanted.”
Todd James echoed those sentiments while also acknowledging the complexity of managing safety in popular tourist locations. He explained that while the family never wished harm on wildlife, he recognised the responsibility authorities carry in protecting visitors. Still, he stressed that his daughter should not be seen as the reason for such actions, urging a more thoughtful approach to balancing human activity and nature.
The decision has also drawn concern from the Butchulla people, the Traditional Owners of K’gari, who were not consulted prior to the announcement. Representatives have called for a broader review into how the island is managed, particularly during peak visitor periods when crowding places pressure on both the environment and wildlife.
Government officials have maintained that the decision was made with public safety as the guiding priority. A spokesperson expressed condolences to the James family and said rangers had observed behaviour that met the threshold for intervention under existing guidelines. The department reiterated that such actions are never taken lightly and are intended to prevent future harm.
Meanwhile, support for the James family has poured in from Australia, Canada, and beyond. A fundraiser established to assist with bringing Piper home has drawn messages of sympathy and remembrance from people who never met her but were moved by her story. In a heartfelt message shared online, Todd James thanked supporters for standing with the family during what he described as their darkest moments.
Piper’s body is expected to be returned to her hometown of Campbell River, where a celebration of her life will be held. Her parents have also accepted an invitation to attend an Indigenous smoking ceremony on K’gari, saying they feel honoured to take part in a tradition of reflection and respect.
As discussions continue about wildlife management, tourism, and responsibility, the James family’s words serve as a reminder that compassion, understanding, and care for both people and nature must remain at the centre of these decisions.