Police hold grave concerns for a 49-year-old man who has been missing in Queensland's rugged Cape York bushland for almost a month.
Police found the man's tired and hungry dog roaming in bushland near his abandoned ute.
Specialist police officers from Cairns and Weipa, State Emergency Service volunteers and family members have been involved in an extensive search for Peter Ah Mat, who was last seen at a cattle station 40 kilometres south of Weipa on December 9.
Mr Ah Mat was not reported missing until December 31, when a worker from York Downs noticed his black Land Cruiser ute abandoned on the side of the road at Myall Creek, with grass growing out of the wheels.
The station worker reported seeing the vehicle in the same place about four weeks earlier, and assumed Mr Ah Mat had gone fishing.
Mr Ah Mat's hunting dog was also found in the area in "very poor condition" wearing a hunting chest plate.
Senior Sergeant Peter Williamson said there were grave fears for Mr Ah Mat's safety, as it appeared he had been missing for many weeks.
"We have concerns he may be lost in the general vicinity of Myall Creek — like most of the areas up on the Cape, the biggest danger would be crocodiles," Senior Sergeant Williamson said.
"There are snakes and also the weather conditions up there themselves create a risk to any person — it's very hot during the day."
Police said Mr Ah Mat told the York Downs station worker he was "going to catch a pig" before returning to Weipa, but had not arrived back home.
An extensive land and air search using drones, quad bikes and a helicopter has been ongoing since January 1.
Senior Sergeant Williamson said police were evaluating whether there was a need to search other locations and enquiries were being made into the possibility Mr Ah Mat travelled to Townsville or Weipa, where he has connections.
Police said it was believed the only possessions Mr Ah Mat had with him were car keys and a cigarette lighter.
Mr Ah Mat is described as Aboriginal, about 170 centimetres tall, muscular build, dark brown hair and brown eyes.
He was last seen wearing a light-coloured singlet, shorts and thongs.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact police.
