Thylacines

The thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus), was a carnivorous marsupial in the family Thylacinidae. Historically, thylacines inhabited the Australian mainland, New Guinea, and Tasmania; by the 20th century the population had dwindled and they were confined to Tasmania. They became one of the most famous examples of recent mammal extinction in Australia.

Description: The animal resembled a medium-sized dog but was a marsupial. It had a sandy to olive coat with distinctive dark vertical stripes across the hindquarters and a stiff, tapering tail. Adults were roughly 1 meter long (body plus tail) and weighed about 15–30 kilograms. Females carried young in a pouch.

Ecology and behavior: Thylacines were primarily nocturnal and solitary, though there is evidence they sometimes hunted in pairs. They fed on small to medium‑sized vertebrates, especially wallabies and bandicoots, and scavenged when opportunities arose. They hunted by pursuit and ambush and relied on a keen sense of smell.

Extinction and afterlife: The species declined after European colonization due to habitat loss, pastoralist persecution, and competition with introduced predators. A bounty system and murder of livestock were reported to contribute to their decline. The last known captive individual died in 1936 at the Hobart Zoo, and the species is considered extinct. Since then there have been numerous unconfirmed sightings and investigations.

Genetic research and cultural significance: Preserved specimens have yielded DNA, enabling partial genome studies and comparisons with other marsupials. Although de-extinction discussions have occurred, no viable program is underway. The thylacine remains a symbol of Australian wildlife conservation and the fragility of island ecosystems.