The Cairns Post

Mystery prints on roadway

- SHILOH PAYNE shiloah.payne@news.com.au

MYSTERY is surroundin­g painted footprints on a Far North Queensland road after the Department of Transport and Main Roads said it was not their work.

The tracks have reportedly been spotted several times 125km north of Coen along Cape York’s 571km long Peninsula Developmen­tal Rd over the past two years.

The department, posted on social media, saying they had no involvemen­t after a road technician spotted the prints.

“We honestly don’t know who left these tracks in North Queensland,” the post said.

“But our line markers swear it wasn’t them and they’re getting seriously worried about the size of the drop bears this season.”

Speculatio­n began in the Facebook comments, with yowies and drop bears suggested. Eliisa Robinson had another idea.

“I’d say it’s that giant panther that is often a news item.

“If that isn’t genuine evidence of its existence then I don’t know what is,” she commented.

Gadj Strebor took a more practical approach, saying it would be a great indicator for wildlife crossing.

“As an ex-traffic control officer, I know many drivers just do not see roadside signs – that puts the issue at hand right across their field of vision,” he wrote.

“Clearly drop bears crossed the road before the edge line was (re)painted,” said Ainslie Just.

“It would be interestin­g to see if perhaps there was evidence on the opposite side indicating they crossed after that line was painted,” he said.

The ‘footprints’ have been left on the main road, as they did not interfere with traffic.

 ?? Picture: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS ?? PUZZLING: Painted tracks on the road found in Far North Queensland on the Peninsula Developmen­t Road near Coen.
Picture: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS PUZZLING: Painted tracks on the road found in Far North Queensland on the Peninsula Developmen­t Road near Coen.

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