Officially they went extinct around 1937. Some now put that date 30 years later. A few diehards give credence to sightings. One way or another a Thylacine resurrection or rediscovery may still be in the cards.
The dog-sized striped predators were the largest marsupial predator. Conflict with humans led to their probable demise. The last zoo specimen died in 1936 in the Hobart Zoo.
Researchers in Australia and elsewhere are trying to use innovative DNA technology to resurrect the marsupial predator. The odds are still long because there is a small amount of DNA to work with. Other problems stand in the way, but researchers appear determined and some breakthroughts have happened.
Swedish researcher recently found a thylacine specimen dating to 1891 with well preserved genetic material. The RNA in question was thought not to survive for decades but since the hide of the animal was dried that may have contributed to preservation.
Meanwhile, what may be the “last” of the Tasmanian tigers has been found in a cupboard where it was left after the animal died. The remains were thought to be lost but were simply misplaced in storage.
Of course, thylacine resurrection is not even necessary if they are not actually extinct. The Thylacine Awareness Group of Australis (TAGOA) is dedicated to proving the experts wrong. The fact that a recent study suggests the beasts survived after official extinction strengthens their resolve. Some experts think credible sightings from the 1990’s exist. Of course sightings are controversial and can be faked or mistaken so perhaps the question of thylacine resurrection remains open in both senses.
The scientific hurdles remain. Enough viable DNA must be found to create the genome. The material must be inserted into a surrogate and the birth must be live. The closest relative to the thylacine is a fat-tailed dunnart. That raises questions about how to implant a fetus and bring it to term. Dunnarts and tiny and the tiger weighed aroud 50 pounds.