A teenager found dead and surrounded by dingoes on a Queensland tourist island has been named as 19-year-old tourist Piper James.

The Canadian national’s body was found surrounded by dingoes near the surf at Maheno Wreck on K’gari about 6am on Monday.

James had been on the island only a short time working at a local backpackers.

She had gone for an early morning swim before she was found unresponsive about an hour later by a group driving 4WDs.

While police said the cause of death has not yet been determined, a small pack of dingoes was found near her body and may have come into contact with her.

Queensland Police Inspector Paul Algie said it was a “horrific set of circumstances” and investigators were considering whether James may have drowned or been attacked by the animals.

“It’s really a very large tragedy,” he said.

“She was a young, healthy Canadian woman who was enjoying the trip.”

James had been travelling with a friend, who is also Canadian.

The Canadian Embassy in Australia said it was aware of the death of a Canadian citizen in Australia.

“Canadian officials are providing consular assistance to the family,” it said.

“We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones.

“Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed at this time.”

Dingoes have roamed wild on K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, for thousands of years with the population regulated only by the availability of food, water and territory, according to Parks and Forests.

Algie acknowledged the incident may concern potential visitors to the island but stressed there was no ongoing risk to public safety.

“I would say that it is a wildlife environment and people need to take care when they’re over on the island,” he said.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers monitor dingoes, place deterrent fences and place trackers on some dingoes.

Attacks on the island are not uncommon, however, fatalities are extremely rare.

In October, a six-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital after he was attacked by a dingo while on K’gari with his grandfather.

The boy was driven by family to Rainbow Beach, where paramedics treated him for head injuries and bite wounds.