NEWS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION

Hi mate,

THIS IS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY I HAVE GOT TO E-MAIL.

We are in a very remote area. Baiting camera traps has shown  up a healthy population of Tasmanian devils. No thylacines yet. Have seen devils, pademelons, Bennett's wallabies,wombats, echidnas, potoroos, ring tailed and bush tailed possums, tiger snakes, cockatoos, wedge tailed eagles, native hens and many others.

Interviewed thylacine witnesses, one was a government licensed shooter who controls wallaby numbers. He saw the animal twice, he also knew a forestry worker who saw one. All these were in the north-east. The owner of a tea rooms and garden saw one in central Tasmania. Many more sightings uncovered by Tony Healy ranging from 1982 to 2012.

The terrain is very wild and the human population near non-existent. I am in no doubt of the thylacine's continued survival.

Talking to a guide recently who has heard the vocalizations, a high pitched yip-yip-yip. Even the once hard boiled sceptic Nick Mooney is coming around to realizing that something is here. Already planning next year's expedition. Sightings mainly in north-east and north-west but massive wilderness area with no roads or people in the south-west. Prey populations are huge, plenty of living space.

Still hope to see a tazzy wolf.

Rich

PS they have chocolates called 'clinkers' over here!