The Mystery of the Tasmanian Tiger
The Tasmanian tiger, or Thylacine, was declared extinct in 1936, and while there have been occasional unverified sightings, it is highly unlikely that they still exist. The idea of bringing Tasmanian tigers back through de-extinction technology, such as cloning, has been discussed among scientists, but significant ethical, logistical, and genetic challenges make it an uncertain and controversial endeavor. The last known Tasmanian tiger went extinct due to a combination of factors, including hunting, habitat destruction, competition with introduced species like dogs, and disease, all of which led to a rapid decline in their population.
The Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus), is a species that has captivated the imagination of people around the world. Despite being declared extinct in the 1930s, countless reported sightings of this enigmatic marsupial have kept the legend alive, leaving many wondering if these creatures still roam the remote wilderness of Australia and Tasmania.
Benjamin – The Last Known Thylacine
The last captive Thylacine, known as “Benjamin,” died on the night of September 6-7, 1936, at the Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, Tasmania. It is believed that the animal died of neglect after being locked out of its sheltered sleeping quarters and exposed to an unfortunate combination of unseasonably extreme weather conditions – intense heat during the day followed by freezing temperatures at night.
The Tasmanian Wolf, the largest Dasyure, might easily be taken for a member of the canine family ; but the female is furnished with a pouch Which opens backwards, although the marsupial bones are absent, being represented only by cartilages. The animal is about four feet in length, including the tail of sixteen inches, or about the size of the jackal; sometimes it attains a total length ot six feet. but even then it is a smaller animal than the European wolf. It is greyish brown in colour, washed with yellow, and from just behind the shoulders to the root of the tail the back is marked with transverse black stripes that gained for it the name Zebra Wolf, although the colonists frequently call it the ‘tiger.’ Though it is not a particularly quick animal the Thylacine preys the the duckbill, even with the advantage of aquatic habits a deep burrow, often falls a victim and, stranger still, a panoply of bayonet-like prickles cannot save the echidna. In the early days of the colonisation of Tasmania the Thylacine outvied the Native Devil in its voracious attacks on the sheep, and consequently this animal too, recieved scant mercy at the hands of the settlers; and it is now to be found only in the more remote mountainous regions. When hunted it is fierce and desperate to the last degree, and no single dog would dare venture within reach of its teeth. In captivity the Thylacine does not exhibit the ferocity of its near relation, the Ursine Dasyure and animals in the Zoological Gardens have speedily become friendly with their keepers.
New Illustrated Natural History of the World, 1910
Taxonomy and Physical Characteristics
The Thylacine was a marsupial carnivore and the largest member of the Thylacinidae family. It was a unique and fascinating animal with distinctive physical features. The Tasmanian Tiger had a body length of around 5-7 feet (1.5-2.1 meters) and weighed up to 65 pounds (29.5 kg). Its fur was short and sandy-colored with 13-21 distinctive dark stripes across its back, earning it the nickname “Tiger.” The animal had a long, stiff tail, a large head with a wide gape, and powerful jaws with 46 teeth.
Early Descriptions and Illustrations
One of the earliest known non-indigenous illustrations of a Thylacine was featured in George Harris’ 1808 description, where both the Tasmanian Devil and the Thylacine were noted as members of the genus Didelphis. In the “New Illustrated Natural History of the World” (1910), the Thylacine was described as a fierce and desperate animal when hunted, with no single dog daring to venture within reach of its teeth.
Dog-headed Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus)
The Thylacine, commonly known as the Tasmanian Tiger, was the largest and most ferocious mammal in Australia’s fauna. Now extinct, it was once native to Tasmania, where it inhabited the wild, rocky mountain regions. The Thylacine frequently ventured into the plains to attack sheep, prompting flock owners to attempt its extermination. As a result, it became exceedingly rare in more populated areas. The remote western mountains of Tasmania, reaching elevations of around 3,500 feet, were considered the Thylacine’s stronghold. These regions experience harsh winters, and during snowfall, the “Tiger” or “Hyena,” as Tasmanians called it, was often easier to trap. However, a powerful trap was necessary to restrain the animal, as it was known to gnaw off its trapped limb if possible.
Mr. Masters, a careful observer, noted that after a fresh snowfall, the tracks of a Thylacine were often followed by the equally ferocious Black Dasyure, then by “Native Cats,” and even smaller species like Antechinus swainsonii, all trailing in hopes of joining in on the kill. Shepherds reported that a single Thylacine could kill hundreds of sheep in a short time, and there are recorded instances of attacks on humans.
The Thylacine typically gave birth to no more than four young at a time, which were carried in a pouch. At birth, the young were as small as newborn kangaroos, but unlike other marsupials, the Thylacine lacked the distinctive marsupial bones found in other pouched animals. While the Thylacine was peculiar to Tasmania, fossil evidence shows that it once also existed on the Australian mainland.
Shepherds long distinguished between two varieties of the Thylacine: the “Bull-head Tiger,” characterized by a shorter head and larger, closely packed teeth, and the “Greyhound Tiger.” Due to space limitations, not all members of the Thylacine family can be illustrated in this work, but a brief list of the genera and species described to date is provided to assist students in their studies.
The mammals of Australia : illustrated by Miss Harriett Scott, and Mrs. Helena Forde, for the Council of Education; with a short account of all the species hitherto described
By Krefft, Johan Ludwig Gerhard 1830-1881
Habitat and Distribution
Thylacines once inhabited mainland Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. However, by the time of European settlement, they were confined to Tasmania. They occupied a variety of habitats, including open forests, wetlands, and grasslands.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
As an apex predator, the Tasmanian Tiger primarily preyed upon wallabies, kangaroos, and other marsupials. It was an ambush predator, using its keen senses of sight, smell, and hearing to locate and pursue its prey. Thylacines were also known to hunt in pairs or small family groups. In captivity, they showed a clear preference for birds, particularly chickens.
Reproduction and Social Structure
Thylacines were generally solitary animals, with males and females only coming together during the breeding season. Females had a pouch with four teats and could give birth to up to four cubs at a time. The cubs would remain in the pouch for around three months before venturing out and accompanying their mother on hunts. Thylacines were not known to be territorial and had overlapping home ranges.
Extinction and Threats
The Tasmanian Tiger faced numerous threats that ultimately led to its extinction. These included habitat loss due to human settlement and agricultural expansion, competition with introduced species like dogs and foxes, and direct persecution by humans who considered them a threat to livestock. A bounty system was introduced in the 19th century, which encouraged the widespread hunting of Thylacines. By the 1920s, sightings of the animal had become extremely rare, and the last wild Thylacine was captured in 1933.
Recent Sightings and the Possibility of Rediscovery
Despite being officially declared extinct, reported sightings of Thylacines have persisted over the years. Many of these sightings have originated from remote areas of Tasmania and mainland Australia, fueling speculation that a small population may have survived undetected. However, to date, no concrete evidence has emerged to confirm the existence of living Thylacines.
De-extinction Efforts: Plans to Bring Back the Tasmanian Tiger
Recent advancements in biotechnology have reignited discussions about the possibility of bringing the Tasmanian Tiger back from extinction. Scientists have successfully extracted DNA from preserved Thylacine specimens and are exploring techniques such as cloning and genetic engineering to recreate the species. However, the process of de-extinction is complex and raises significant ethical and ecological questions that must be carefully considered.
It is clear that there is still some uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Tasmanian Tiger even after all this time. While most experts agree that they are likely extinct due to lack of physical evidence or reliable reports, some remain hopeful that a small population may remain hidden away somewhere on mainland Australia or Tasmania waiting to be rediscovered. Until then we can only speculate about their fate but one thing is for sure – we will never stop wondering if they are truly gone forever or if they still roam somewhere deep within our forests. Ecologists will continue looking for answers about this mysterious creature for many years to come.
The Tasmanian Tiger remains one of the most captivating and mysterious creatures in recent history. Its tragic extinction serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact human activities can have on biodiversity. While the possibility of rediscovering or even resurrecting the Thylacine is tantalizing, it is crucial to prioritize the conservation of existing species and their habitats to prevent further losses. The enduring fascination with the Tasmanian Tiger highlights the importance of preserving our natural heritage and the urgent need to protect the incredible biodiversity that still exists on our planet.
