THE THYLACINE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2406, 28 October 1930, Page 6

THE THYLACINE

A PRIMITIVE MARSUPIAL. A LINK WITH THE PAST. Amidst the rugged western mountains of Tasmania is to be found an animal of primitive marsupial characteristics, ami one which constitutes a link with the past owing to its primitive nature. The Tliylacine or Tasmanian wolf, sometimes called the Tasmanian tiger (Thylacimis cynoccphalus), is now only ( found in a living state in the loss accessible parts of Tasmania. There is every probability that as the western country is opened up, this primitive maruspial will become extinct. At one remote geological age this animal existed on the mainland of Australia, and there is evidence in the shape of fossils that a very similar typo of animal lived at one time in South America, which fact constitutes another link ,in the chain of evidence in support of the Antarctic continent theory. The Thylaeinc in a superficial way resembles a. dog or wolf in the general shape of its body, the head and body of which together measure about four feet and the tail another two feet in the average specimens. The fur is short, close and harsli, and of a general grey-brown colour, whilst the back and fore parts of the tail arc banded with a number (usually 18) black bands.

It is in reality quite a shy animal, and unless driven into a corner it will not attempt to attack man. In comparison with the ineorrrect designation of “tiger” the scientific “Thylacimis cynoccphalus” provides a very appropriate description, as a free translation of the form is “the pouched dog with the wolf head.” As soon as the early settlers introduced sheep into Tasmania the war of extermination against this interesting species commenced-. The reason for this was not far too seek, for the settlers’ sheep were easy to catch and evidently were considered more tasty than tho wallabies and other such animals upon which ttmse wolves usually feed. The Tliylacine is a. nocturnal animal, lying hidden during the day in caves or natural hollows among the rocks or in holes dug out by itself.

When'John Gould, the famous naturalist, who visited Tasmania in the late thirties of last century, was describing tliis species he wrote the following: “AVlu'n the comparatively small island of Tasmania becomes more densely populated, and its primitive forests are intersected with roads from the eastern to the western coasts, the numbers of this singular animals will speediiy diminish. Extermination will have its full sway, and it will then, like the wolf in England and Scotland, he recorded as an animal of the past.” Tin, forecast of the groat naturalist may soon be fulfilled unless unexpected developments occur, and it behoves all observers to gather all the information they possibly can concerning the Thjla cine.

So far, this species has not bred in captivity. To obtain success on these lines would mean a setting apart of some acres of suitable country closely fenced, as experience has shown that results cannot be expected from the ordinary confined state of a zoological, garden cage. The animal is of great interest to science, not only in a general sense, but in a particular way as regards the study of certain muscles and glands which are of great interest to medical science. For this reason a special study of the animal is being made by Dr. Colin MacKenzie, Director of the Australian Institute of Anatomy at Canberra. Owing to the particular interest of this species, the Commonwealth Government has prohibited its export from Australia, and the Tasmanian Government has also taken steps to safeguard tho species, as the Animals and Birds Protection Board of Tasmania has passed regulations with a view to safeguard the-animal under certain conditions. —“Mutual Provident Messenger.” (