Remains Of Last Living Thylacine Found In Tasmania

Remains of Last Known Thylacine Unearthed at Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

December 5, 2022

In a significant discovery, curators at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) have identified the remains of the last known thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger. The thylacine, a carnivorous marsupial native to Tasmania, Australia, and New Guinea, was declared extinct in the 20th century.

Uncovering the Endling

The specimen, a female thylacine, was captured by Elias Churchill in 1933 using a snare trap—a method that was illegal at the time. To avoid potential fines, the sale of the animal to Hobart Zoo was not publicly announced. The thylacine lived alone in captivity, with the famous footage taken in 1933 by naturalist David Fleay which became the last available footage of a thylacine in captivity only 3 years later. The animal was filmed seated, walking around its enclosure, yawning, sniffing the air, scratching itself, and lying down. Fleay was even bitten on the buttock during the filming. The footage was digitally colorized in 2021 to mark National Threatened Species Day by the National Films & Sounds Archive of Australia (NFSA).

After the thylacine's death on September 7, 1936, its remains were transferred to TMAG. However, due to the circumstances of its capture, the specimen was not properly documented and lay forgotten for decades. A taxidermist's record from 1936 or 1937 eventually led to a comprehensive audit of TMAG's thylacine specimens, culminating in the identification of the "endling" in late 2022.

Debunking the 'Benjamin' Myth

In 1968, Frank Darby introduced the myth that the last thylacine was named "Benjamin." This narrative gained widespread media attention, with even reputable sources perpetuating the story. However, research indicates that the thylacine in question was a female at Hobart Zoo, believed to have died due to neglect. She was left outside her sheltered sleeping quarters, exposed to extreme heat during the day and freezing temperatures at night. This specimen is featured in the last known motion picture footage of a living thylacine.

A Cultural Icon

The thylacine, often referred to as the Tasmanian tiger due to its distinctive stripes, was native to Tasmania, Australia, and New Guinea. It was the only member of the genus Thylacinus and family Thylacinidae to survive into modern times. The species faced extinction due to factors such as intensive hunting, disease, competition with introduced species like dingoes, human encroachment, and climate change. The thylacine remains a cultural icon in Australia, featured on the official coat of arms of Tasmania.

Ongoing Research and De-Extinction Efforts

The discovery of the last thylacine's remains has spurred renewed interest in the species. Researchers have successfully mapped its entire genome, and efforts are underway to explore de-extinction possibilities. Biotech company Colossal Biosciences, in collaboration with Australian laboratories, is working towards reviving the thylacine using advanced gene editing and reproductive technologies. The team aims to facilitate the birth of a thylacine within the next three years and hopes to reintroduce the species into the wild in about ten years.

News Highlights:

• The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery identified the remains of the last known thylacine, a female captured in 1936.

• The specimen was not properly documented due to the illegal nature of its capture, remaining unnoticed for decades.

• The thylacine, native to Tasmania, Australia, and New Guinea, became extinct in the 20th century.

• Recent research has mapped the thylacine's genome, fueling de-extinction efforts aiming to reintroduce the species within the next decade.