MARSUPIAL "TIGER"

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 132, 1 December 1945, Page 10

MARSUPIAL "TIGER"

TASMANIAN QUEST

A RARE ANIMAL

An expedition has left Melbourne for a wild part of western Tasmania, in search of the marsupial "tiger," or "wolf" one of the rarest and most pictureque Australian animals, writes A. H. Chisholm in "The Herald," MclMr. David" Fleay (Director of the Mackenzie Sanctuary at Healsville) is organiser and leader of the expedition. With him are Mr. Roy Alderson, a Warburton bushman with much Tasmaman experience, Major and Mrs. Gavan Crowl, of Broadford, and Inspector Arthur Fleming, of the Tasmanian Fauna Board, under whose official permission the expedition will function. From Hobart the party went to the wild country approaching the Prince of Wales Range and the Jane River. In that remote area they expect to spend about two months trying to obtain living specimens of the "Tiger — otherwise "the pouched dog with the wolf's head." , It will be very tough work, but the party is competant and well equipped If the "tigers" are there, Mr. Fleay and his assistants undoubtedly will succeed. Long ago, this marsupial tiger ol Tasmania occurred on the mainlandits fossil bones have been found here. AN OUTLAW. When white men settled in Tasmania it was fairly common. It ravaged flocks and became an outlaw, with a price on its head. As numbers decreased the price was lifted, and later the vanishing animal was given partial, later complete protection. But the safeguards came too late; not one specimen of the "tiger has been seen in a wild state for many years, and it seems that the curious creature is almost extinct. _ • The last one known died in the Hobart Zoo in 1933. Nevertheless, it is highly probable that a remnant of the once-abundant "tigers" exist in portions of the exceedingly wild and rugged areas of Western Tasmania. Several expeditions to determine this have been organised by the Tasmania Fauna Board, and these, while they did not find actual specimens, proved the existence of a few animals by finding fresh footprints. The last search was made seven years ago In some of the wildest and most broken country of the whole mountainous island, that expedition (of which Arthur Fleming was field party leader) recorded in plaster of paris several footprints made in mud by the "tiger," and otherwise gained proof of the continued existence of the species. RUGGED AREA. It is in that same rugged area—due west of the famous Macquane Harbour -that the Fleay party will work. The object of this highly-mterestmg search must not be confused with the Tasmanian devil, that other peculiar island marsupial, which has been kept and bred in the Healesville Sanctuary. Variously called "tiger," "wolf, and "hyena," the Thylacine of scientists bears a superficial resemblance to a large dog or wolf, but actually has affinities with the native cats and1 phascogales. Its scientific name, Thylacinus cyanocephalus, implies that it is "a pouched dog with a wolfs head. In colour, the Thylacine is a grizzled tawny-grey, with some 16 dark-brown transverse stripes on the back, base of tail, and flanks. These stripes become shorter as they continue towards the middle of the back.. Somewhat ungainly in form and haying an awkward though swift gait, tne animal's general appearance is much like that of a wolf, especially about the head, the large jaws opening back almost to the ears. The tail is generally held in a stiff attitude, and apparently cannot be wagged like that of a dog. The animal hunts largely at night, and mostly singly or in pairs, although there are records of three or four hunting together, apparently constituting a family pack. Marsupial "tigers" usually have four young ones at a time. After these have been carried in the pouch for a brief period the mother makes a nest for them in a sheltered spot. At the present time young ones should be about half-grown. RATHER TIMID. Indications are that the "tiger" is rather timid and will not attack man unless cornered. In fact, when taken young and tamed many years ago it was found to be quite tractable. But it has never been bred in captivity—that remains an ambition of the Healesville Sanctuary, scene of so many successful breeding experiments.