17 Day Simpson Desert Palaeontology Expedition

- to identify and possibly retrieve a suspected Genyornis Newtoni fossil

Due to the floods in the Kallakoopah Creek, this expedition was postponed until August 2010. 

In association with scientists and anthropologists from -

In 2007 the ADE Arid Rivers Research Expedition traversed a major section of the Kallakoopah Creek in the southern Simpson Desert of South Australia. The expedition was a resounding success, collecting over 400 plant specimens, recording 45 bird species and discovering numerous megafauna fossils. The expedition also visited a site that an Outback Camel Company Expedition had discovered in 2006 and which needed further investigation, as it was believed to be the remains of Genyornis Newtoni, a large flightless bird, similar in appearance to an emu, although not directly related.

After careful study of the expedition photographs, Associate Professor Rod Wells of South Australia's Flinders University, and Honorary Research Associate in Palaeontology, SA Museum, came to the conclusion that if indeed this did prove to be Genyornis, it appeared that a great deal of the skeleton was intact. Consequently, this may be an important discovery.

The primary objective of the 2009 expedition is to positively identify the fossil, with the intention of extracting the remains. It is important to note however that at this stage, a positive identification of the fossil has not been made and it may transpire that this is not Genyornis but another megafauna fossil, possibly Diprotodon. The decision to extract the remains will be made in the field by the palaeontologists.

Prof Steve Webb from Bond University and Aaron Camens from Adelaide University will co-ordinate the digging and possible extraction of this fossil (and any others that we may locate). The fragments will be wrapped in protective bandages and loaded into our high strength polyethylene cases. Prof Wells, who has worked extensively along the Warburton River on Kalamurina Sanctuary for a number of decades, will also act as a reference in identifying any fossils, although he will not accompany the expedition.

Professor Webb writes:

"Long-term research in the southern Lake Eyre basin has uncovered a 250,000 year record of climatic and environmental change unequalled anywhere else in Australia. Fossil and geomorphic evidence gathered from remote palaeochannels such as the Kallakoopah Creek has shown that the region once supported a vast mega-lake surrounded by broad savannah and wetland ecosystems that in turn supported a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic megafauna species.

At other times, abrupt climate change brought desertification pushing the megafauna out of the region in a series of stress events that probably led to its eventual extinction. These mechanisms are now directly relevant to understanding present climate change and it is the relationship between them and extinction that I am now researching in the region. The past provides an opportunity to understand why climate changes and how extreme the results are. The more we learn about these processes the better we will be able to predict future climate change and its consequences.

The work north of Lake Eyre continues, but surveying in remote regions around the Kallakoopah and in the centre of the Simpson Desert is extremely difficult with 4wd vehicles. The use of camel teams to help enter and survey these areas is a new strategy using a very old means of transport, and travelling this way means we can take more equipment, providing easier access to the focus areas and it allows a more thorough investigation of areas transected by the survey".

This expedition marks the first time that fossils would have been carried from the field by camels since 1902 when JW Gregory travelled along the Warburton and Cooper Creek. That expedition was the first to look for fossils in the region and their discoveries were sent to Glasgow University.

Unlike the 2007 expedition, in 2009 we will have far more time to properly conduct an extensive search of the area for more megafauna remains. This will include the Diprotodon (pictured below), remains of which we also found in 2007.

Besides the palaeontologists, the expedition will be accompanied by a botanist who will conduct a botanical specimen collection, and a marsupial expert who will conduct a trapping survey. On this expedition we expect to travel approximately 160 kilometres during our 13 days trekking.

Many modern desert trips are described as unique, but this expedition will truly be a remarkable journey. Here is the rare opportunity for 10 people to join the expedition and assist the scientific team in the field with the possible extraction of the fossil, further searching for more megafauna remains, collection of botanical specimens and conducting the marsupial survey.
This is in addition to travelling through the desert with a team of trained packcamels, just as the explorers of the 19th and early 20th Centuries did.

 The expedition party will include the following gentlemen:

Steve Webb
Professor of Australian Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland

Dr Philip Jones,
Senior Curator, Department of Anthropology, South Australian Museum

Aaron Camens
Megafaunal Palaeontologist/ Functional Morphologist
PhD Student, University of Adelaide

Brian Blaylock
Secretary, Birds South Australia
Volunteer, Birds Section, South Australian Museum. Volunteer, Biological Survey Monitoring for South Australia Department of Environment and Heritage

Grade: Moderate
Departure Date:  Due to the floods in the Kallakoopah Creek, this expedition has been postponed until 2010
Maximum group size: 10 - fully booked in 2009
Itinerary: 2 day road transfer, 13 days with the camels, 2 day return road transfer Further information
Pick up point: Adelaide
Set down point: Adelaide
Price: AUD$5344

back to 2009 Itinerary summary

The Kallakoopah Creek, April 4th 2009

The Kallakoopah Creek, April 4th 2009

Dr Mike Smith, National Museum of Australia, points to the Genyornis remains on the 2007 Expedition

Dr Smith examines the sections of bone

The Kallakoopah Creek, 2007

Brian and Nerissa collecting botanical specimens, 2007

Typical desert country south of the Kallakoopah

Flocks of waterbirds on the Kallakoopah Creek, 2007

back to 2009 Itinerary summary