A young Horsley man who has dubbed himself the Snake Hunter has vanished into north Queensland wilderness on a dangerous, 100-day solo quest.Taking little more than a tent, a kayak and a hunting knife, Andrew Ucles, 22, ventured into the outback two weeks ago to live off the land and raise awareness of conservation issues.Mr Ucles initially kept his mission secret, telling only a few close friends and family of his plans.
Horsley man's jinxed eBay uteNo one knows his exact location, but it is believed to be hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town.The Mercury understands Mr Ucles is carrying an emergency beacon and two video cameras to document his trip.In a 50-second pre-recorded YouTube video posted on March 29, Mr Ucles urged authorities not to attempt to rescue him."I would like to make it clear that the decision I have made is not spontaneous and I am responsible for my own actions," Mr Ucles said."There is a great chance that I may not return, but I feel as though the message that needs to be conveyed is greater."Emulating his hero, the late Steve Irwin, the former Dapto High School student has also posted a YouTube video of himself, bare-chested and wearing an Akubra hat, wrestling small crocodiles and snakes.It also shows him diving through swamps for turtles and handling large goannas.On a Facebook page set up to support his mission, Mr Ucles urged supporters to donate to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), a West Australian-based charity which buys land to create sanctuaries for the conservation of threatened flora and fauna.Mr Ucles' family said they supported his mission despite the risks."I'm extremely concerned, but it's something he's planned, it's something he feels very passionate about," his mother Helen said."He said 'I'll miss you, don't worry about me, I'll be okay and I'll see you in 100 days'."Friend Alee Hadaya, who helped plan the journey, said Mr Ucles had taught himself bush survival skills and animal handling techniques from an early age.Over the past year he had carried out practice missions in the bush around Wollongong, where he tested his skills by catching rabbits and fish.Mr Ucles announced his epic plans to a small group of friends two months ago."We tried to talk him out of it ... but he was committed ," Mr Hadaya said."I think ... he's smart enough that if he had serious issues he'd come out."Mr Ucles was confident he could survive physically but was concerned about maintaining his mental health during the long period spent alone in the bush, Mr Hadaya said.At the end of his 100 days, Mr Ucles is expected to emerge with his adventure on tape in a bid to spread the conservation message, he said.AWC chief executive Atticus Fleming said the organisation was not notified of Mr Ucles' mission, but appreciated his efforts.
