A Lost Marsupial

May 4, 2005 6:35 PM

"The onslaught of destruction wrought upon the thylacine by the early settlers of Tasmania came about largely as a result of fear, ignorance, and misunderstanding." An extinct carnivorous marsupial.
posted by interrobang (16 comments total)

Great post. Just a few months ago a German tourist took some dodgy pictures (link does not contain the pictures--sorry) of what was supposedly a thylacine--does anyone know what happend with that?
posted by LarryC at 6:53 PM on May 4, 2005

People claim to be taking pictures of the things all the time. In fact, I believe there is currently a competition underway offering a prize to anyone who can provide conclusive proof (capture, or multiple photos with a zoologist present) of the continued existance of the thylacine. Can't find a link to it, though. Anyone know about this?
posted by Jimbob at 6:58 PM on May 4, 2005

"Museum ditches thylacine cloning project".
posted by interrobang at 7:01 PM on May 4, 2005

I won't flag this because there's likely others who haven't seen it and I like the topic anyways but...(look inside for mpeg also)
posted by peacay at 7:41 PM on May 4, 2005

Also previously here.
posted by peacay at 7:45 PM on May 4, 2005

Whoops, thanks, peacay. I didn't bother searching because I just found out about this and thought it was exciting.
posted by interrobang at 7:48 PM on May 4, 2005

Jimbob, the magazine 'The Bulletin' put up a million dollar bounty, but the Tasmanian government is refusing to grant hunting permits to bounty hunters as they fear they will damage other flora and fauna in the process. As one of The Bulletin's conditions to claim the prize is having a valid permit this all seems to have fizzled fairly quickly.

For more see here
posted by bangalla at 7:49 PM on May 4, 2005

"Here you will find information covering virtually all aspects of the natural history of this very unique Australian marsupial."

Some would say, the uniquest.
posted by Citizen Premier at 7:55 PM on May 4, 2005

How could a Thylacine be cloned anyways? Is there really an acceptable species to hold the fetus?
posted by Citizen Premier at 8:00 PM on May 4, 2005

I think the Tassie Devil Citizen Premier. (and uniquest yes..heh)
posted by peacay at 8:10 PM on May 4, 2005

Why not just breed and genetically engineer a Tasmanian Devil into a Thylacine, then?
posted by Citizen Premier at 8:19 PM on May 4, 2005

I didn't bother searching because I just found out about this and thought it was exciting.

You need a better mail delivery service.
They became extinct in 1936.
posted by peacay at 9:05 PM on May 4, 2005

A couple of years ago, a friend told me that she and her husband, an experienced bushman, were walking through dense bush when they realised that their dog was "pointing" at what they were convinced was a Tassie Tiger. The Thylacine just stared at them and then disappeared into the bush leaving them astounded. I don't think they ever reported it, probably because they had no proof and perhaps from fear of ridicule.

The Thylacine is thought to be the only mammal we have lost in this State but Foxes have been introduced here in what has been said to be an act of planned eco-terrorism. If it's true, the people who did this are nothing but scum. I have no idea what a suitable punishment would be if they are ever caught, but I hope it's severe.

Although Foxes have been here in the past, the Tasmanian Devils have always been able to help keep them under control. Now the Devils are in danger themselves from a disfiguring infectious disease. As if that's not bad enough, without the Devils to help, the Fox problem is compounded even further and poses a real threat to other Tasmanian wildlife.
posted by Tarrama at 9:01 AM on May 5, 2005

Tarrama...for some reason I keep forgetting about the plight of the devil - I've seen a 'show' or 2 in the last couple of years -- just really wrenching and depressing. But I wasn't aware of the foxes. OMG - in 2000! Jeezuz H krying out loud that's so (nearly was going to say inbred but caught myself) appalling.
It really must be time for me to take the big trip south. I've never been. My friend just bought a place at Bicheno so I hope I can keep her couch company sometime next summer. Thnx for the info.
posted by peacay at 9:11 AM on May 5, 2005

As interrobang pointed out the early settlers were destructive through fear and ignorance, the people who recently brought the foxes in don't even have that as an excuse.

peacay you will be able to see some healthy Tassie Devils at Bicheno's Natureworld and Freycinet National Park is outstanding.
posted by Tarrama at 9:11 PM on May 5, 2005

Oh, thanks for that. Looks beautiful. Now if I only had some money. *sigh*
posted by peacay at 9:10 AM on May 6, 2005