The Tasmanian tiger is one of the most fabled animals in the world. European settlers in Tasmanian were puzzled by it, feared it, and killed it when they could. After only a century of white settlement, the animal had been pushed to the brink of extinction. The Tasmanian tiger look like a large, long dog, with stripes, a heavy stiff tail, and a big head resembling that of a wolf. That is why it is sometimes called the Tasmanian wolf. It was shy and secretive, and always avoided contact with humans. It was a meat-eater. When the European began settling in Tasmania, the animal started killing the sheep and poultry raised by the settlers.As a result, Tasmanian tigers were hunted down relentlessly, and rewards were given to those who killed them.Another major factor that contributed to the Tasmanian tiger’s decline is the dingo, or wild dog population. These wild dogs hunted in packs, unlike Tasmanian tigers which hunted in small numbers or alone. Dingoes competed with these Tasmanian tigers for food and shelter. Climate changes and deforestation are also believed to have been contributing factors to their extinction. By 1936, the last captive Tasmanian tiger has died.
A Chance for Rebirth
Although the Tasmanian tiger has been officially declared to be extinct, there have been unconfirmed reports of it being sighted. However, there is no hard evidence that the animal still exists. Efforts are being made to clone a specimen that has been preserved in alcohol. A team of Australian scientists has succeeded in replicating the DNA of the extinct Tasmanian tiger, and plan on reviving the species soon.