The last Thylacine in captivity died on 7 September 1936. This year marks the
sixtieth anniversary of that occasion. During the last 20 000 years, the
Thylacine was the largest carnivorous marsupial, so it played an important role
as the top predator in its food web.
Fossils of Thylacines in Western AustraliaThe last one
Thylacines once roamed widely within Western Australia. Bones have been found
at two sites in the north Kimberley and Exmouth. Other evidence of
Thylacines is in the rock art of the Pilbara. Conditions in caves of the
southern half of the state have favoured the preservation of fossils. In the
south-west, Thylacine remains have been located in numerous caves. To the east,
many other specimens, some with mummified tissue, have been
recorded. These animals have been carbon dated at 3280 to 4650 years. A
mummified carcass was recovered by the Western Australian Museum from a
Nullarbor cave in 1969.
Recent sightings of Thylacines
There have been numerous sightings (over 1000) of Thylacines during the last
sixty years. Some of these have been carefully observed by reputable people.
Unfortunately, there is very little other evidence to support these
sightings.
A personal conservation thought
Why have Thylacines disappeared? Lack of understanding of animals in their
environments is the general cause. This consists of many specific aspects.
Dingoes competed for the same niche during the last 3500 years. Thylacines were
killed because they attacked small farm animals. The hunting of Thylacines was
encouraged by the Tasmanian authorities by the offering of a bounty. The
hunting continued, even when it was obvious that Thylacine numbers were low.
"With its passing, a whole family of marsupials which had existed for
more than 10 million years became extinct." (McNamara)
The hope
Perhaps some of the sightings are valid. Perhaps Thylacines still exist in
Tasmania. Perhaps they are breeding in the south-west of Western Australia.
Perhaps we'll be lucky enough to see one.
That's the hope.
A Thylacine history
The Thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) was Australia's largest
carnivore when European settlers first arrived in this country. Even at that
time, it was a rare animal -- the first one was not captured until 1808
(five years after the settlement of Tasmania). By 1820, only four had been
collected.
Perhaps few more than 3000 Thylacines ever existed. The animals were soon considered as unwanted. In 1888 a bounty of £1.0.0 was offered for each one killed.
This was more pressure on the population than it was able to withstand. By 1900, more than 3000 Thylacines had been killed. Population numbers had decreased to below the number required for survival of the species. Thylacines were now extremely rare. In 1909, just 101 years after the first capture, only two bounties were paid.
The last Thylacine to be shot met its fate in 1930. The last Thylacine to be
captured was sold to Beaumauris Zoo in Hobart in 1933, where it died, three
years later.
Campout
If you wish to yarn about Tassie Tigers, or mourn the apparent demise of the
Thylacine, then join us on our campout for the weekend during which National
Thylacine Day occurs in this decade -- Saturday, 7 September 1996.
We will be camped in the Whicher Range at the junction of Claymore Road and Evan Road, near Mt Seaview. (Consult a detailed map of the area, such as The West Australian Travellers Atlas: Map 24. The easiest access is from the west. One possible route is along Vasse Highway; turn north on to the Ludlow-Hithergreen Road; turn east onto Williamson Road which becomes Claymore Road after about 2 km. Continue another 7 km along Claymore Road. There is a large cleared area on the north side of the road at the junction.)
You will need to be entirely self-sufficient.
The area has been chosen as it is in the heart of the areas where Thylacine sightings have occurred -- Bramley, Brunswick Junction, Busselton, Caves Road, Kirup (no rude comments please), Nannup, Treeton, Vasse, .
Fossil remains of Thylacines have been found in numerous caves in the
south-west. Every tourist cave has yielded some remains.
Suggested weekend activities
Friday, 6 September 1996: spotlighting (walking or driving) in the open
forest.
Saturday, 7 September 1996: Bushwalking -- orchids are prolific (44 species were seen in this area in 1995). Caving -- visit a tourist cave such as Yallingup Cave, Mammoth Cave, Lake Cave, Jewel Cave or Moondyne Cave. Wineries -- pick a road, any road -- and sample varieties to please your palate. Sightseeing -- the coastal scenery is outstanding. Evening campfire -- sit around, socialise and reminisce. (Nostalgia just ain't what it used to be! Sigh!)
Sunday, 8 September 1996: Do your own thang.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Carlton United Brewery for donations of posters, coasters, labels and
liquid refreshment.
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Contacts for sightings
We are always interested to hear of Thylacine sightings.
Lindsay Hatcher
4 Stoner Place
INNALOO WA 6018
Telephone +61 9 445 2464
Alex J. Saar email: Alex J. Saar - lawley@iinet.net.au
Notes prepared by Lindsay M. Hatcher and Alex J. Saar.
Internet links
Thylacine -- a species presumed extinct:
Tasmania's new logo:
To catch a Tiger:
Tour of Tassie:
Buy your own hologram of a family of Thylacines (or see the movie!!):
The Beast of Buderim -- recent sightings in Queensland:
Australian A - Z Animal Archive (T):
Australian A - Z Animal Archive (X):
The South Australian Museum Thylacine Project:
Tasmanian Tiger by Bianca Mazzarella (try viewing with background off):
DOUGLAS, Athol M. (1986). Tigers in Western Australia? in New Scientist 24 April 1986, pp. 44-47.
FLANNERY, T. (1990). Australia's Vanishing Mammals. R D Press, Sydney.
GUILER, Eric R. (1985). Thylacine: The Tragedy of the Tasmanian Tiger. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
GUILER, Eric R. (1991). The Tasmanian Tiger in Pictures. St David's Park, Hobart.
HEALY, Tony & Paul CROPPER (1994). Out of the Shadows -- Mystery Animals of Australia. Pan Macmillan, Ironbark.
JORDAN, Adye M. (1987). "The Tiger Man" The Thylacine -- Yesterday Today and Tomorrow My Study and Findings. WordsworkExpress, n.p.
MCCORMACK, Rob (1986). Strange Intruder. Ashton Scholastic, Sydney.
MCNAMARA, Ken & Peter MURRAY (1985). Prehistoric mammals of Western Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth.
PARK, Andy (1986). Tasmanian tiger: extinct or merely elusive in Australian Geographic 1(3):66-83.
RIDE, W.D.L. (1970). A Guide to the Native Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. pp.128-131.
ROUNSEVELL, D.E. (1983). Thylacine in Ronald STRAHAN (ed.) The Australian Museum Complete book of Australian Mammals : the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife. Angus & Robertson, Sydney. Pages 81-83.
SLEE, Sid (1987). The Haunt of the Marsupial Wolf. South West Printing and Publishing, Bunbury.
TROUGHTON, Ellis (1965). Furred Animals of Australia. Angus & Robertson. Sydney. pp. 50-52.