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Scientists Attempting To Resurrect Extinct Tasmanian Tiger
Although it was officially declared extinct, the animal known as the thylacine could soon be making a comeback thanks to the marvels of modern science.
Professor Andrew Pask of the University of Melbourne, was part of a team who were able to successfully sequence the genome of the extinct marsuipial’s DNA last year. He is now planning to use advanced gene-editing technology to attempt to implant thylacine genes into a genetically related living animal, which could result in the first recorded thylacine birth in over eighty years. It sounds like something straight out of Jurassic Park, but this is indeed real.
The thylacine, which was also known as the Tasmanian tiger (not to be confused with the Tasmanian devil), was officially declared extinct in 1936. Reasons for its extinction included competition in its habit with the introduced dingo, and because it was hunted relentelly by humans who believed they were responsible for killing sheep. Despite this, there is evidence to suggest that a small colony of Thylacines continue to live in Tasmania to this day, including numerous video recordings, one of which can be viewed below. In other words, it might not be as extinct as people think.
