# How likely is it that the Tasmanian Tiger is not extinct? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 22, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375 "2011-04-22T17:03:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2021, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/41 "2021-03-14T23:39:57Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Did the marsupial wolves also inhabit the Australian manland? Stuff like that did not survive the first great extinction event, around the time of arrival of the first humans. The mainland was then occupied by mammalian dogs, and the remaining wildlife is adapted to that presence. The Tassie tiger was an odd beast, but not really anything like a wolf. When dogs arrived in Tasmania, the local wildlife was completely not adapted to that kind of predation. This was a boon for escaping prisoners, who with a gun and a dog could live off the local wildlife, even though they were foreigners who knew nothing about local conditions (this was not possible on mainland Australia) ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2021, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/42 "2021-03-15T07:51:24Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > Stuff like that did not survive the first great extinction event, around the time of arrival of the first humans. The mainland was then occupied by mammalian dogs, and the remaining wildlife is adapted to that presence. Many marsupial megafauna but not thylacines. Since Tasmania was connected to the Australian mainland in times of lower sea-level both Tasmanian Devils and Tas Tigers were endemic to Australia, and were isolated on Tasmania after rising sea levels cut it off at the end of the Pleistocene. The mainland remnants appear to have disappeared fairly quickly as recently as [3200 years ago](https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2017.0642). The earliest reliably dated remains of dingo are [almost exactly that as well](https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/research-reveals-when-dingoes-first-arrived-in-australia). Could be a coincidence, but could also be a very short, sharp, one-sided contest for some specific components of the ecosystem that the dingo won every time. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/43 "2022-08-16T19:49:46Z")
There are plans to bring them back! > **[De-extinction Company Aims to Resurrect the Tasmanian Tiger](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/de-extinction-company-aims-to-resurrect-the-tasmanian-tiger/)** > > The scientists who want to bring back mammoths now hope to revive the marsupial carnivore thylacine > **[De-extinction: scientists are planning the multimillion-dollar resurrection...](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/aug/16/de-extinction-scientists-are-planning-the-multimillion-dollar-resurrection-of-the-tasmanian-tiger)** > > University of Melbourne partners with US biotech company to plan genetic restoration of the thylacine ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/44 "2022-08-17T13:29:36Z")
Have there been any recent sightings of the cryptozoology subculture? ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2022, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/45 "2022-08-18T04:46:29Z")
> [@Sierra\_Indigo](#): > > Do you think Tasmania is some sort of reality-show hive where there’s a camera nailed to every tree? WTF? He’s exaggerating, but there is a lot of interest in the Tasmanian Devil, AND the Devil is also a carnivore… so they would be attracted to the same place, by the same bait, etc. If they are looking for Devils … and find a lot of devils, and no tigers… whats the conclusion ? The confidence in the “no tigers” goes up with more and more negative detections, doesn’t it ? Here’s someone who put 40 traps out in a day, and he is targetting new areas and remote areas, so as to find genetically diverse devils. There’s only devils caught. [https://www.fortysouth.com.au/environment/in-the-field-with-dftd](https://www.fortysouth.com.au/environment/in-the-field-with-dftd) ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2022, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/46 "2022-08-18T05:45:49Z")
Oh yes indeed. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/47 "2022-08-18T17:50:10Z")
Is this kind of thing just a pipe dream at this point? Has any part of it actually been done? It seems they have been working on the mammoth for over a year with no physical steps being taken. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/48 "2022-08-18T21:03:44Z")
The idea of cloning the thylacine has some history. There was a well-promoted, scientifically adventurous and probably over-optimistic attempt about 20 years ago that got nowhere. Two decades is, however, an eternity of DNA science so perhaps there is something to be learned from first project’s false starts. The Mike Archer / Australian Museum project is discussed in detail [here](https://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2009/07-08/cloning-the-thylacine/). Its a thorough accounting of the research and what went wrong. Its important to note that the author was not a journo but an employee of the Museum and may have their own specific take on events. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/49 "2022-08-23T20:25:34Z")
Tangent: This photo always makes me feel lonely and sad. The last know photo of [the extinct Barbary Lion.](https://i.redd.it/75zbhs9xdlc31.png) ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2022, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/50 "2022-08-25T20:00:06Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > [De-extinction: scientists are planning the multimillion-dollar resurrection of the Tasmanian tiger | Tasmania | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/aug/16/de-extinction-scientists-are-planning-the-multimillion-dollar-resurrection-of-the-tasmanian-tiger) Why? Are they tasty? ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2022, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/51 "2022-08-25T21:05:30Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Why? Are they tasty? I honestly don’t think that’s the reason. They are doing it because they can or think they can, and wouldn’t it be cool to bring back an animal from extinction caused by human hunting? Unfortunately, several other species have also disappeared due to human activities, so the notoriety of the Tasmanian Tiger made it a good choice. It’s the poster child of human-powered extinction. A close relative of the tiger still living makes their job a little bit easier. Is it worth millions of dollars to bring it back from extinction, assuming they can do it? I’d rather they spend the money on research of rare human diseases, but that’s not nearly as sexy as this would be. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/52 "2022-08-27T20:15:05Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Why? Are they tasty? Old punch line: “It tastes pretty good. Kind of like a cross between a spotted owl and a condor.” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/53 "2023-11-29T19:11:44Z")
Bumped. Thylacines mentioned here: [https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/29/world/morton-allport-aboriginal-people-tasmanian-tigers-remains-scn/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/29/world/morton-allport-aboriginal-people-tasmanian-tigers-remains-scn/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/54 "2023-11-29T22:11:41Z")
> [@whitetho](#): > > “It tastes pretty good. Kind of like a cross between a spotted owl and a condor.” Emperor Penguins? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/55 "2023-11-30T17:59:02Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > In 2005 the Bulletin offered a reward of $1.25 million for the capture of a live Tasmanian Tiger. It was never claimed. IIRC the day that it was made illegal to trap them was also the same day they were officially declared extinct. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/56 "2023-11-30T18:34:12Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Tangent: This photo always makes me feel lonely and sad. The last know photo of [the extinct Barbary Lion.](https://i.redd.it/75zbhs9xdlc31.png) I heard that photo was fake? Eta: I heard that take from Darren Naish of TetZoo: [https://twitter.com/TetZoo/status/1670006932713742337](https://twitter.com/TetZoo/status/1670006932713742337) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/57 "2023-11-30T18:51:24Z")
Nah, it’s real. The remaining lions in zoos are probably not 100% pure. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/58 "2023-11-30T18:54:10Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Nah, it’s real. The remaining lions in zoos are probably not 100% pure The argument isn’t that there were other lions in zoos, it’s that the picture is of a toy or model, not a real animal.as people point out in the Twitter thread, that’s not a position that real lions hold their heads in. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/59 "2023-11-30T19:00:02Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Nah, it’s real. The remaining lions in zoos are probably not 100% pure. I need to point out that the Barbary Lion is not a species, or even a subspecies, it was just a _population._ There is a tiny but not hopeless chance for the thylacine. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375/60 "2023-11-30T21:05:57Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > it’s that the picture is of a toy or model, not a real animal.as people point out in the Twitter thread, that’s not a position that real lions hold their heads in. It took me all of 2-3 seconds to find [a photo of a lion](https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000018c-1ada-d4e4-a1df-3edfd2500000/0f/9d/fa70a9144dcc95a91e4319e4db18/54605103.JPG?precrop=2248,2248,x648,y0&height=960&width=960) in almost that exact position. And why, pray tell, would someone fake that? It’s not like it’s aliens or mermaids. There are thousands of easily verifiable photos of these creatures. And Twitter is your cite? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-the-tasmanian-tiger-is-not-extinct/579375.md?page=4)