Researchers from far north Queensland have broadened their search area for an animal long thought extinct, after a flood of reported sightings from the public.

James Cook University (JCU) researchers announced in March that they will conduct a thylacine survey on Cape York, in response to a number of historical sightings reported on ABC Far North.

Scientists are all but certain the animals, also known as Tasmanian tigers, were extinct on the Australian mainland by the time European settlers arrived.

But the JCU team thinks the anecdotal reports are credible enough to set camera traps on Cape York over a month long period, and have also expanded the area to include rainforest sites closer to Cairns.

"Observations are coming in from all over the far north and other parts of Queensland," project leader Dr Sandra Abell said.

"They are spread out, but after the media [reports] I've found a couple of clusters."

She said many people have contacted her also wanting cameras placed on their properties.

'If they're there, we'll find them'

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Not everyone is convinced of the merits of the study, with a University of California mathematician estimating the odds of finding a live thylacine at one in one point six trillion.

"My motto is, if they're there, we'll find them. I'm probably the biggest sceptic amongst everyone, but of course I want it to be true," Dr Abell said.

Dr Abell said it could turn out that these sightings were simply dingos, wild dogs, or even foxes.

If they do turn out to be foxes, it would be the first evidence the predator has moved into the region.

Scientific community offering tips

Scientists from across the world have been offering advice to lure the creatures to their cameras.

It has led to some novel approaches to the task.

"There's all sorts of weird and wonderful baits you can use ... weird things like badger odour," Dr Abell laughed.

She said the enormous public interest in the study could indicate feelings of guilt amongst Australians.

"They were pushed to the brink by European settlement in Tasmania. We tried to conserve them but it was too late," she said.

"Maybe we should be thinking about some of the species that we can still save, like the Northern Bettong."

Field trips will start in the next couple of months.