Creatures, Myths & Legends

Expedition aims to search for Tasmanian tiger

By T.K. Randall
November 3, 2013 ·  51 comments

Live thylacines at Washington D.C. National Zoo in 1904. Image Credit: Baker; E.J. Keller Despite being declared officially extinct in the 1980s, stories and reports of live thylacine sightings have persisted across Australia. Now a team from the Centre for Fortean Zoology are about to embark on the first of several expeditions aimed at finding evidence that the species survived extinction and continues to live to this day somewhere in the Tasmanian wilderness.

"The problem with a lot of the sightings from members of the public is that they're generally caught by surprise, and their photos are taken on things like mobile phones and aren't very good," said expedition leader Mike Williams. "It will take really good quality video to really convince anyone and preferably a video shot by a person."The first expedition will begin by meeting up with eyewitnesses in an effort to pinpoint areas for study. Among those participating are Dr Chris Clarke and Richard Freeman who have previously sought evidence of giant anacondas in the Amazon.

"Let's hope between our resources, those of independent researchers, and the government's, something comes to light," said Williams.

Source: The Mercury | Comments (51)

Tags: Thylacine