Barry and his team examining a live juvenile
speartooth - a fully grown specimen has
never been seen or caught
LiQUiFY’s mission this day
though, is to leg it in the opposite
direction to the source of what’s
believed to be the key to the future
survival of the speartooth shark – and what
better guide for this 135,000 ha pristine
parcel of land on the Cape York Peninsula
than one of Steve’s oldest mates, Ranger
Barry Lyon, who Bindi, Robert and Terri call
‘family’.
Barry lives on the reserve for much of
the year as head ranger, overseeing an
incredible amount of scientific research
going on here to continue Steve’s passion
for conservation and research.
His personal passion is studying the
speartooth shark for a Masters Degree,
and as we arrive at what looks like a lush
green oasis in the middle of the scrub, he
explains his love for this place known as
‘Bluebottle Springs’.
When he first came to the reserve in 2007,
it was just three months into his exploration
that he came across these springs and
even on this day, he marvels at seeing
‘something really special’. Barry pauses
us for a moment to ‘chuck a talk’ to the
spirits and respect the indigenous culture
of this land, before we reach the gently
gurgling pools of water, which grow larger
into a creek that runs 5 kms to the Wenlock
River where it serves a crucial ecological
function and creates the perfect home for
the speartooth shark.
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