Hi-tech focus for search Scientists on mission to find Cape York rock wallaby
Woman in alleged stabbing
A SCIENTIFIC expedition will take place in Cape York in two months to search for a rare species of wallaby, whose photo has only ever been captured once.
The Cape York rock wallaby, petrogale coenensis, was identified as a separate species by the Australian Museum in the early 1990s, however, not much is known about the marsupials other than a grainy photo taken of one of the animals during a survey near the Wenlock River in 2009.
The wallabies, which are also known as “Coen rock weasels”, are listed as threatened species.
Melbourne-based photographer and conservation scientist, Jeremy Ringma, is heading up to the Cape in November alongside another scientist, Megan Barnes, to try and rediscover the elusive animal.
“There’s really nothing, no field guide-quality photos of this rock wallaby yet,” Mr Ringma said.
“That’s what we’re trying to do, get some high quality images of this wallaby in the wild.”
Cape York rock wallabies are described as being yellowbrown-coloured on their limbs, head and around the base of their tail, with a pale buff-coloured cheek-strip.
Their preferred habitat is open tropical woodlands where there are rocky outcrops, ridges, gullies and seasonally dry creek beds.
Mr Ringma said he and his colleague were planning to explore rocky terrain around the Musgrave area, through to north of the Wenlock River.
They are taking hi-tech camera gear, including photographic traps to lure wallabies and grab snaps of them.
To help support the Quest 4 Cape York rock wallaby, head to gofundme.com/quest-4cape-york-rock-wallaby
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A YARRABAH woman charged over an alleged stabbing on the weekend has been remanded into custody.
Melina Maree Yeatman, 49, appeared in Cairns Magistrates’ Court yesterday after spending the night in the watch-house.
The defending counsel told the court that no application for bail would be made.
It is alleged that Ms Yeatman argued with a 57-year-old man at a Stanley St address on Sunday.
Police allege that the situation escalated and the man was stabbed in the stomach.
He walked down Stanley St and collapsed.
The man was helped by family members before being treated by paramedics and taken to Cairns Hospital.
Detectives spoke with Ms Yeatman yesterday afternoon and she was taken into custody. She was charged with unlawful wounding and Acting Magistrate Raimund Heggie adjourned the matter for committal mention on October 3.