Are Tasmanian tigers extinct ? Tasmanian tigers are also known as Thylacinus Cynocephalus or Tasmanian Wolves. According to scientists, this species went extinct in 1936, but reports claim that people have seen animals resembling a Tasmanian tiger. But there is no solid proof of that.
It sounds bone-chilling if you were to encounter such a beast out in the wilderness. Nobody would ruin a good trek in the Tasmanian mountain range by coming across a beast that has the looks of a dog, the speed of a cheetah, and is deadly like a tiger, something you have never seen before. These ferocious cats may look like your regular neighborhood dog but are the opposite.
Here in this guide, we will learn whether Are Tasmanian tigers extinct. If yes then how can we recover their population?
Tasmanian Tiger- Are Tasmanian Tigers Extinct
Once, the residents of mainland Australia and Papua New Guinea later found their home in Tasmania due to certain restrictions. Now, their extinction was the last story associated with these cats as they belonged to an older generation, and by the time humans got a hold of what these beasts were, they were already extinct.
According to reports, due to their ferocious nature, they were often hunted by humans as a sign of courage and royalty, and many believe that it led to their extinction in those areas. Only 5000 Tasmanian tigers were estimated to be left in Tasmania by 1800. And since there were very few people around the Tasmanian region, it is believed that was the behind the change in their habitat. But the population soon started to decline as the settlers began to cover the area for their use.
The Final Nail on the Coffin For the Tasmanian Tiger|
Are Tasmanian tigers extinct? For any animal, the only reason to get extinct is the overpopulation of humans in that area. Another main reason for hunting the Tasmanian tiger was fear of getting their cattle killed by them. And any time they were spotted out in the open, the settlers hunted them.
Since most of these settlers were of western origin, they would fear the Tasmanian tiger just as much as they would fear their western beasts like coyotes and Western wolves. The number might be exaggerated, but people would claim many kills by the Tasmanian tigers. Surprisingly, the Tasmanian government started the bounty system and paid nearly 2180 bounties.
Another cause of the sudden downfall in the Tasmanian tiger’s extinction was disease. These deadly diseases were mostly transferred to them by the dogs. These dogs on the Australian coast were pet dogs brought in by the settlers and were also a competition to them.
Tasmanian tiger- Their Level on the Food Chain|
Even though they looked ferocious due to their uncanny stance, some scientific reports suggest it was otherwise. Yes, they were carnivorous but incapable of hunting down bigger prey. The shape of their jaw was not made to withstand such high pressure. And unlike the setters’ presumption, it was clear that they were not responsible for the hunt of their cattle.
These cats are often found feeding on the remains of the prey left by bigger cats or probably would hunt smaller hunts like a possum or bandicoots.
This ultimately means that just the stripes on their body and their resemblance to the cat family had unnecessarily got them killed and extinct.
Tasmanian Tigers- Population Recovery?
Despite many sanctions by the then governments, it was too late to save this species as it did not breed very fast, at least not as fast as they were getting killed. Due to the smaller size of the females, it was easier to hunt hem or easy for the other animals to prey on them,, and even if they somehow managed to get past the hunting chain, females could only give birth to four cubs at one time, which is nothing compared to their other cat family members.
Tasmanian Tiger- The Conclusion
Extinction of any species should hit hard, and humans must learn from this before we get so caught up in modern-day activities and forget what is important and needs our attention.
And just like that, when it was discovered that only one last Tasmanian tiger was alive, the Tasmanian government shed some light on it and passed legislation to protect this endangered species.
But like it had always happened, it was too late, and because of a neglected zoo worker, The Last Tasmanian Tiger, Benjamin, was let out from his shelter on a very cold night and died from exposure and poor care. This happened just 59 days after the legislation by the Tasmanian government.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- How did the last Tasmanian tiger die?
The Last Tasmanian tiger dies due to the negligence of a zookeeper who left him out of his shelter on a cold night, killing the last known tiger due to exposure. - Will Tasmanian Tiger ever come back?
Unfortunately, the Tasmanian tiger has been extinct for a long time now, and there have been no official reports of their existence.
