The Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus), a carnivorous marsupial recognized by its distinctive stripes, is widely considered extinct. Despite its official classification, persistent rumors and unconfirmed sightings continue to fuel hope that this unique creature might still roam remote parts of Tasmania. However, the scientific community maintains that verifiable evidence of its continued existence has not been found.
The Thylacine’s Extinction Story
The thylacine was a carnivorous marsupial that once inhabited mainland Australia and New Guinea, but it disappeared from these regions thousands of years ago, likely due to competition with dingoes. By the time of European settlement, its range was restricted to the island of Tasmania. Approximately 5,000 thylacines were estimated to live in Tasmania when Europeans arrived.
European settlers perceived the thylacine as a threat to their introduced livestock, particularly sheep. This led to widespread hunting, initially encouraged by private farming companies and later by a government-sponsored bounty system. Between 1888 and 1909, the Tasmanian government paid out over 2,180 bounties for thylacines killed. This relentless persecution, combined with habitat loss and introduced diseases, drastically reduced their numbers.
The last known individual died in captivity at the Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, Tasmania, on September 7, 1936. This animal, often referred to as “Benjamin,” was not officially named or confirmed as male, a detail clarified by recent research. Despite being granted protected status just two months prior to its death, conservation efforts came too late. The thylacine was officially declared extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1982, and by the Tasmanian government in 1986.
Why People Believe It Still Exists
Despite its official extinction status, belief in the thylacine’s continued existence persists among some individuals. This is often fueled by numerous anecdotal reports of unconfirmed sightings. These reports come from bushwalkers, remote residents, and others who claim to have glimpsed the striped marsupial in the Tasmanian wilderness.
The vastness and ruggedness of Tasmania’s wilderness also contribute to this enduring hope. The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area alone covers approximately 15,800 square kilometers, nearly 25% of the island. Much of this area is remote, densely vegetated, and largely uninhabited, providing extensive potential habitat where a small population could theoretically evade detection. For instance, an experienced park ranger, Hans Naarding, reported seeing a thylacine in 1982.
Verifying such claims presents significant challenges due to the elusive nature of the reported encounters and the lack of concrete physical evidence. Without clear photographic, video, or biological samples, these anecdotal sightings remain unconfirmed. The human mind can sometimes misinterpret glimpses of other animals, such as wallabies or feral cats, as the thylacine.
The Scientific Search for Evidence
The scientific community employs rigorous methods to investigate claims of the thylacine’s survival. Researchers have utilized remote camera traps, a technology used in Australia since the 1950s. These cameras are strategically placed in remote areas, often set to capture images from multiple angles to increase the likelihood of verifiable evidence and to deter potential hoaxes. Despite decades of extensive camera trapping efforts across Tasmania, no definitive or scientifically accepted images of a live thylacine have ever been captured.
Another advanced method used in the search is environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. This technique involves collecting environmental samples, such as water, soil, or hair, which may contain traces of DNA shed by organisms. Scientists can then analyze this genetic material to identify species present in an area. Specialized probes have been developed to detect thylacine DNA.
While eDNA offers a promising avenue for detection, its field sensitivity is still being assessed, and no confirmed thylacine eDNA has been found in the wild. Despite numerous expeditions and the application of these sophisticated techniques, irrefutable scientific proof—such as clear photographs, video footage, physical remains, or confirmed DNA samples—has consistently remained absent. Scientific standards require concrete, repeatable evidence that goes beyond anecdotal accounts or ambiguous visual reports.
Modern Efforts and De-extinction
Beyond the ongoing, albeit unconfirmed, search for live individuals, modern scientific efforts have turned towards the concept of “de-extinction” for the thylacine. Projects are underway to explore the possibility of bringing the species back through advanced genetic technologies. These initiatives represent a significant shift from traditional search methods to a more proactive approach.
Scientists are leveraging well-preserved thylacine specimens to sequence its genome, creating detailed genetic blueprints. Several institutions are actively pursuing this goal. The process involves taking stem cells from a living relative, such as the fat-tailed dunnart, and using gene-editing techniques to modify their DNA to match that of the thylacine.
The long-term goal of these de-extinction projects is to create an embryo that could potentially be gestated, either in an artificial womb or a surrogate mother. While significant scientific hurdles remain, and ethical considerations are part of the ongoing discussion, some researchers express optimism that a thylacine could potentially be “reborn” within the next decade. These efforts highlight a new frontier in conservation, aiming not just to protect existing species but to reverse past extinctions.