Critically Endangered: The highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List for wild species. Critically Endangered species are those that are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
EXTINCT: When there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. A species is presumed Extinct when exhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times have been taken.
Thylacines were declared officially extinct in 1936 after the last found animal, 'Benjamin' died in Hobart zoo just 3 years after captivity.
EXTINCT: When there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. A species is presumed Extinct when exhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times have been taken.
Thylacines were declared officially extinct in 1936 after the last found animal, 'Benjamin' died in Hobart zoo just 3 years after captivity.
Classification of Thylacines (Tasmanian tiger)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Family: Thylacinidae
Genus: Thylacinus
Species: T.cynocephalus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Family: Thylacinidae
Genus: Thylacinus
Species: T.cynocephalus
HISTORY AND QUICK DEMISE
- The year 1824 led to the arrival to sheep, successfully causing widespread fear and confusion amongst farmers towards the Thylacines. Farmers were brought to believe that the animal was the reason for many of their stocks deaths.
- However recent technology advancements indicate that killing large animals such as sheep was too stressful for the animal’s skull and although a large animal itself the Thylacine preferred to live of smaller prey such as bandicoots and possums
- The year 1888 brought forward the Thylacine bounty – 1 pound per adult animal killed and 10 shillings for every pup - this lasted until 1909 with exactly 2184 reported kills.
- 500 years after the introduction of the Dingo, Thylacines were wiped from Australia; although Thylacines appeared larger than the wild dog, Dingo’s tended to hunt in packs whilst the Thylacine were more of a solitary animal.
- When the Thylacine and Dingo did go head to head chances were that the Dingo would win as the Dingos muscle outweighed the Dingos and the wild dogs skull was thicker than the Thylacines.
- Declared extinct in 1936, just 200 years after European settlement
SIGHTINGS?
The last confirmed sighting of the Thylacine was in the year 1933 (Benjamin) however there have been numerous sightings since then all believed to be the Thylacine.
In Autumn 1995, nine years after the Thylacine was officially declared extinct, Col Bailey reports that he himself saw one, claiming to not come forward until now fearing if he did the fragile battle for growing numbers would be lost due to people looking for them and ultimately capturing them.
To me this story seems unlikely, withholding information for years and then only allowing the audience to know what he believes. Mr. Bailey states that to see the animal was the reason he went out that morning so why was he not prepared? Why not have photography evidence available once you have come forward? Or even a description of the animal and place?
Second story of a Thylacine sighting:
In summer 1989 at two-PM, Tony Kitchener and Steve Kelly came across two Thylacines at Scott’s Peak Dam, Tasmania. According to the Mr. Kelly the two ‘tigers’ were crossing the road above the dam towards the bush further up the hill, at the time they were about sixty meters back before driving forward until they were about fifteen apart.
This lasted roughly ten seconds, one of the Thylacine stopping to look at the car before following the other animal who had continued without a glance, apparently unconcerned about the two men all this occurred on a sunny uncovered area.
Description: The animal was described as two sheep sized animals, wolf-like face, coat being a light tan colour with dark stripes running across the rump and tail, short legs, end of tail curved, long jaw, short ears.
Evaluation: Taking everything besides the date into consideration the story is very plausible. Two people saw the exact same thing, the weather was clear with no bush obscuring their view, their description was in depth with correct characteristics. and there was not a ridiculous amount of space between the animals and two men.
The last confirmed sighting of the Thylacine was in the year 1933 (Benjamin) however there have been numerous sightings since then all believed to be the Thylacine.
In Autumn 1995, nine years after the Thylacine was officially declared extinct, Col Bailey reports that he himself saw one, claiming to not come forward until now fearing if he did the fragile battle for growing numbers would be lost due to people looking for them and ultimately capturing them.
To me this story seems unlikely, withholding information for years and then only allowing the audience to know what he believes. Mr. Bailey states that to see the animal was the reason he went out that morning so why was he not prepared? Why not have photography evidence available once you have come forward? Or even a description of the animal and place?
Second story of a Thylacine sighting:
In summer 1989 at two-PM, Tony Kitchener and Steve Kelly came across two Thylacines at Scott’s Peak Dam, Tasmania. According to the Mr. Kelly the two ‘tigers’ were crossing the road above the dam towards the bush further up the hill, at the time they were about sixty meters back before driving forward until they were about fifteen apart.
This lasted roughly ten seconds, one of the Thylacine stopping to look at the car before following the other animal who had continued without a glance, apparently unconcerned about the two men all this occurred on a sunny uncovered area.
Description: The animal was described as two sheep sized animals, wolf-like face, coat being a light tan colour with dark stripes running across the rump and tail, short legs, end of tail curved, long jaw, short ears.
Evaluation: Taking everything besides the date into consideration the story is very plausible. Two people saw the exact same thing, the weather was clear with no bush obscuring their view, their description was in depth with correct characteristics. and there was not a ridiculous amount of space between the animals and two men.
CLONING IS IT POSSIBLE?
After the process which Renfree was quoted saying, “The process was agonizingly slow.” The researchers along with Professor Richard Behringer were able to take the ‘enhancer’ region of the gene and insert it into the genomes of mouse embryos.
Afterwards the results came back saying that mice had been producing the Collagen, using the fragmented Thylacine gene.
- First of all what exactly is cloning? Cloning refers to the successful replication of a living organisms including: plants, humans and animals.
- Begging of 1999, Mike Archer, leader of the Thylacine cloning project was convinced that he and his team could successfully clone a Thylacine from a Thylacine pup as well as. ‘Pickled’ and preserved in alcohol since 1866, the female pup was not the only DNA taken. Mr. Archer was also granted tooth and bone samples from a male specimen - stating that one female was ‘lovely’ but in order for this to work they needed male DNA.
- Deputy Director of ‘ARCC for ‘EKG,’ Mr. Renfree and Pask were able to successfully able to isolate small regions that were then pieced together, providing the sequence of several genes.
After the process which Renfree was quoted saying, “The process was agonizingly slow.” The researchers along with Professor Richard Behringer were able to take the ‘enhancer’ region of the gene and insert it into the genomes of mouse embryos.
Afterwards the results came back saying that mice had been producing the Collagen, using the fragmented Thylacine gene.
- Two years later the team of scientist was able to successfully duplicate singular Thylacine genes, using a polymerase chain reaction (commonly used cloning technique.)
- February 2005, the Australian museum made the decision to discontinue their involvement of the cloning of the Thylacine. Mike states that while he understands the museum's decision he assures the public that with the rapid technology advancement, we would not lose the Thylacines forever.
- Tasmanian devils, (Sarcophilus harrisii), why? Although not one of the most closely related relatives to the Thylacine the
- Moose, why? Although the moose being a possible surrogate was crossed out after extensive research it was thought to be a possible surrogate due to the fact that the Thylacine and moose had similar bone genetics.
ETHICAL ISSUES?
Wildlife conservationists argue that cloning isn't right and instead of focusing our resources, time and money on creating an extinct species why don’t we focus on the alive but critically endangered?
Numerous people question why scientists are dismissing Tasmania’s remote areas? What if the animal isn't actually extinct and cloning the Thylacine will cause future problems between the old and new generation.
Sarcophilus harrisii
OTHER PROBLEMS?
After being cancelled in 2005 after thorough discussion it was decided that the cloning of the Thylacine was:
Wildlife conservationists argue that cloning isn't right and instead of focusing our resources, time and money on creating an extinct species why don’t we focus on the alive but critically endangered?
Numerous people question why scientists are dismissing Tasmania’s remote areas? What if the animal isn't actually extinct and cloning the Thylacine will cause future problems between the old and new generation.
Sarcophilus harrisii
OTHER PROBLEMS?
After being cancelled in 2005 after thorough discussion it was decided that the cloning of the Thylacine was:
- To expensive, funds not wanting and/or being wanted to be given for a project that might not work.
- Facilities were not available, even if the team put together was more than able to complete the work.
- Technology, a lot of the Cloning involved the need for technology advancement,
OVERVIEW TIMELINE:
- 1936: Last known Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) dies in Hobart Zoo.
- 1999: Rheuben Griffiths Trust launched due to fund cloning research for the Thylacine.
- 2000: Australian Museum extracts DNA from the preserved Thylacine pup.
- 2002: DNA bough back to life.
- 2002-2004: Sequencing of the Thylacine genome to begin.
- 2004: Identification of suitable host expected.
- 2005-10: Attempts at fertilisation with host.
- 2010: Potential birth of first cloned Thylacine.
PEPPER'S OPINION
My opinion on whether or not the Thylacine is actually alive or extinct? Do I believe in the process of cloning?
First of all and probably most importantly I do believe the Thylacines are alive, my opinion being the Thylacine is the perfect size to hide out in the remote areas of Tasmania without detection, letting their little clans grow and hopefully in the years to come finally come out when those areas are too small.
Truthfully, the cloning process disturbs me, I can see too many things going wrong and I am strong believer that what is gone stays gone, it doesn't come back. Especially in an alienated version that could cause problems for the surrogate mothers, the ecosystem and even themselves.
My opinion on whether or not the Thylacine is actually alive or extinct? Do I believe in the process of cloning?
First of all and probably most importantly I do believe the Thylacines are alive, my opinion being the Thylacine is the perfect size to hide out in the remote areas of Tasmania without detection, letting their little clans grow and hopefully in the years to come finally come out when those areas are too small.
Truthfully, the cloning process disturbs me, I can see too many things going wrong and I am strong believer that what is gone stays gone, it doesn't come back. Especially in an alienated version that could cause problems for the surrogate mothers, the ecosystem and even themselves.
All information written above is either in the words, opinions of Pepper-lily Manning or quoted.