Tasmanian Tiger-Wolf
Species: Thylacinus cynocephalus
Classification: Mammal Location: Began in Australia and New Guinea, after the European settlers introduced the Dingo (wild dog) the Thylacine died out on the mainland and were only left in Tasmania Habitat: A mosaic of dry eucalypt forest, wetlands and grasslands. They emerged to hunt on grassy plains and open woodlands during the evening, night and early morning. Becoming Extinct The Tasmanian tiger- wolf was very popular in the mid to late 1800's. Right around that time settlers had started to live on around their habitat. The settlers that were there were sheep farmers and raised bred sheep. The marsupial then took that as a chance to easily get food. The number of sheep began to decrease, and it did not go unnoticed by the settlers. By 1888 there was a bounty out for all of the tiger-wolf where they were set to kill and destroy any that were spotted. From the beginning of the bounty to the early 1900's, tiger- wolfs were poisoned, shot, snared, and trapped. By 1933 the species was believed to be extinct. The last know tiger-wolf died in captivity in 1936. Although the species was believed to be extinct reports of the marsupial being seen continued, and they now receive protection from the Australian Government. Instead of killing off the species the settlers could have easily gotten better protection for their sheep. They saw this species as a bigger threat than what they actually were and the problem could have easily been solved. |