The last Tasmanian tiger was thought to have died in a zoo in 1936. The victim of ignorance and neglect on the part of its keepers. The carnivorous marsupial, whose range once extended throughout Australia was already rare and confined to Tasmania when European colonists arrived in the early 19th century. Habitat loss, disease and hunting decimated the remaining population. But two credible sightings of animals strongly resembling the animal have scientists hoping the species might not be extinct after all. And if they are Tasmanian tigers, they have been hiding out in far North Queensland, Australia. Researchers at Australia’s James Cook University plan to begin the hunt for the surviving tigers this month. Using 50 camera traps where the sightings took place. This project has the additional benefit of surveying other vulnerable species in the area.
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