The Last Known Tasmanian Tiger Died in 1936. 90 Years Later, Researchers Are Questioning the Extinct Animal’s History

A recent study has shed new light on the extinct Tasmanian tiger, also known as the thylacine, revealing intriguing details about its anatomy and evolutionary links. These findings indicate that, contrary to popular belief, the thylacine bore closer genetic ties to kangaroos than to wolves, despite resembling the latter in appearance.

The research highlights the thylacine’s distinctive skull structure, which features unique characteristics that enabled it to capture small, agile prey rather than the larger livestock typically hunted by modern wolves. With a skull described as considerably larger than all but the gray and maned wolves, the thylacine possessed an elongated upper jaw well-suited for catching swift creatures such as bandicoots and similarly sized marsupials.

According to Dr. Vera Weisbecker, the lead author of the study, the thylacine’s jaw length allowed for faster movement at the biting tip, thereby increasing the effectiveness of its attacks. “We believe that the thylacine’s significant skull size provided the strength needed to withstand these powerful bites,” she explained. Her findings contribute to a growing body of evidence that illustrates how similar-looking species can have vastly different hunting strategies and prey preferences.

Co-author of the study, Dr. Douglass Rovinsky, provided further insights into the thylacine’s skull shape, suggesting that its slender and delicate snout diverges significantly from the more robust morphology typical of large predators like gray wolves. Instead, the thylacine’s facial structure strongly resembled that of smaller canids, such as foxes and jackals. This distinctive trait underlines the unique evolutionary pathway of the thylacine compared to other predatory mammals.

Love Dalén, a professor of evolutionary genomics at Stockholm University who was not involved in the study, expressed agreement with the researchers’ conclusions. He commented via email, “Its distinctive skull suggests it used fast and powerful bites to catch small and agile prey, rather than grappling with large animals like gray wolves do. This is a fascinating illustration of how two animals can appear similar yet function in completely different ecological niches.”

The extinction of thylacines on Australia’s mainland occurred approximately 2,000 years ago, while the species continued to exist in Tasmania until the mid-20th century. Human actions, including hunting and the introduction of domestic dogs, significantly contributed to their population decline. The last known thylacine died in captivity in 1936 at the Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, Tasmania, marking the end of their existence in the wild.

Notably, tales of the thylacine preying on livestock, notably sheep and poultry, had surfaced during European colonisation, although these accounts are now regarded as largely exaggerated. The Australian Museum notes that the colonial view of thylacines as threat posed to agriculture was fuelled by misinformation, including infamous photographs depicting a thylacine with a chicken in its mouth.

Dr. Weisbecker elaborated on this historical perception, noting that British colonists tended to consider unfamiliar wildlife as inferior versions of familiar European species. “They saw thylacines and instinctively linked them to wolves, concluding they posed a danger to livestock, which prompted them to impose bounties on these creatures,” she remarked.

Interestingly, Dr. Weisbecker pointed out that thylacines were more closely related to kangaroos than to dogs. As marsupials, their evolutionary line diverged from other mammalian species long before the age of dinosaurs. This revelation reshapes our understanding of the thylacine’s place within the animal kingdom and highlights the unique qualities of Australia’s native fauna.

Despite their extinction, Tasmanian tigers continue to capture the interest of researchers. Ongoing studies aim to comprehend the factors that led to their demise and to inform conservation efforts for surviving marsupials facing similar threats. “Australia has lost more mammalian species than any other country, and 40% of its marsupials are currently at risk,” warned Dr. Weisbecker. Her upcoming research intends to match these statistics with concrete evidence regarding the biodiversity that is at stake, emphasising the importance of preserving Australia’s unique ecological heritage.

The plight of the thylacine serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the fragility of ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts to protect the remaining species that share their habitat.