Wildlife Biologist Shares Potential Proof of Living Tasmanian Tiger
A recent series of images and a video purportedly showing the extinct Tasmanian tiger, also known as the thylacine, have generated significant excitement and skepticism within the scientific and cryptozoological communities.
The images, captured by a tourist and publicized by American wildlife biologist Forrest Galante, present a compelling but controversial case for the possible reappearance of this iconic species, last officially seen in 1936.
The incident began when Zack, a tourist from Minneapolis, and his father were traveling through Tasmania. They noticed an unusual animal by the roadside, initially mistaking it for an injured dog.
Upon closer inspection, the creature bared its teeth and emitted a sound resembling a “meow,” prompting Zack and his father to retreat. Before the animal disappeared into the brush, Zack managed to photograph it, capturing what some believe could be the elusive Tasmanian tiger.
These photos, shared with Galante, have sparked widespread debate. In a YouTube video, Galante expressed both skepticism and intrigue. He noted several “red flags,” including Zack’s decision to remain anonymous by wearing a peculiar head covering during the interview.
Despite these doubts, Galante admitted that his team struggled to find definitive flaws in the images, describing them as “incredibly compelling.”
The thylacine, Australia’s only marsupial apex predator, was declared extinct in 1986 after the last known individual died in captivity in 1936. The species had been driven to extinction due to hunting by European settlers, competition with dingoes, and habitat loss. Despite its official extinction status, numerous unverified sightings have continued to surface over the years, often in remote areas of Tasmania.
Experts remain divided on the authenticity of Zack’s photos. Chris Rehberg, a researcher who has documented thylacine sightings since 2006, pointed out inconsistencies in the images, such as the appearance of the animal and shadows that seemed unnatural.
Dr. Axel Newton, involved in thylacine de-extinction efforts at the University of Melbourne, also doubted the images, emphasizing the ease with which modern technology can create convincing fakes. He highlighted the grainy texture of the photos and the lack of raw, unedited footage as potential indicators of deception.
However, the possibility of the thylacine’s survival, albeit remote, has not been entirely dismissed. A 2023 study suggested that extinction might have occurred as recently as the late 1980s to early 2000s, with a small chance of the species persisting in Tasmania’s inaccessible south-western wilderness. This study adds a layer of intrigue to the recent claims, suggesting that the thylacine might still roam in areas seldom frequented by humans.
Social media platforms have played a crucial role in amplifying these recent claims. The images and videos were widely shared on X (formerly Twitter), where they quickly went viral, attracting over 300,000 views on Galante’s YouTube channel alone.
The widespread dissemination of these materials has fueled public interest and debate, with many users sharing their thoughts and theories on the sightings.
While some expressed hope and excitement, others remained skeptical, echoing the concerns of the experts.
Despite the controversies surrounding these sightings, efforts to bring the thylacine back from extinction are underway. Scientists in Australia are working on an ambitious de-extinction project, aiming to recreate the thylacine using stem cells from closely related marsupials.
This project, reminiscent of the concept in “Jurassic Park,” involves editing the genome of a dunnart, a small marsupial, to produce a thylacine embryo. Andrew Pask, a leading scientist in the project, believes that creating a thylacine-like cell within the next decade is conceivable, given the substantial support and funding for the initiative.