What caused the extinction of the Tasmanian tiger?
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Audrey Morgan
Studied at University of Melbourne, Lives in Melbourne, Australia
As a wildlife biologist with a keen interest in the history and ecology of extinct species, I have spent considerable time studying the tragic story of the Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine. This unique marsupial carnivore is one of the most enigmatic and debated cases of animal extinction in modern history. The thylacine was a distinctive creature, characterized by a stiff tail and a series of stripes across its lower back, resembling a tiger, hence its colloquial name.
The extinction of the thylacine is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. It's important to note that the thylacine's extinction on the mainland of Australia around 2000 years ago was likely due to a combination of climate change and the arrival of new predators, such as dingoes, which were introduced around that time. However, the extinction of the thylacine on Tasmania, where it persisted until the 20th century, is a more recent and well-documented event.
When Europeans arrived in Australia, they found a small population of thylacines on the island of Tasmania. The settlers, unfamiliar with the species and fearing it as a threat to their livestock, initiated a campaign of extermination. The government bounty on thylacines, as mentioned, played a significant role in their decline. This bounty was a financial incentive for farmers and hunters to kill thylacines, which they saw as a threat to their sheep and other livestock. The bounty system was in place from 1888 to 1909, during which time thousands of thylacines were killed.
However, the bounty system is not the sole reason for the thylacine's extinction. Other factors include habitat loss due to the expansion of agricultural lands, which reduced the available territory for the thylacines to hunt and live. The introduction of non-native species, such as rabbits and foxes, also had a detrimental impact on the thylacine's ecosystem, as these species competed for the same prey and altered the landscape.
Furthermore, the disease could have played a role in the thylacine's decline. There is evidence to suggest that diseases carried by domestic dogs and other introduced species may have affected the thylacine population. The thylacines, having evolved in isolation, may not have had the immunity to fight off these new diseases.
Another factor to consider is human interference in the form of direct killing or accidental trapping. As the thylacine became more rare, it also became more valuable as a specimen for collectors and museums. This led to increased hunting pressure, both legal and illegal, as people sought to capture or kill the last remaining individuals.
Lastly, the lack of genetic diversity within the thylacine population may have made it more susceptible to extinction. Small populations are more vulnerable to the effects of inbreeding, which can lead to a decrease in genetic fitness and an increased risk of extinction.
In conclusion, the extinction of the thylacine was not caused by a single factor but was the result of a combination of human activities, environmental changes, and biological pressures. The thylacine's story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of human interaction with wildlife and the importance of conservation efforts to protect endangered species.
The extinction of the thylacine is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. It's important to note that the thylacine's extinction on the mainland of Australia around 2000 years ago was likely due to a combination of climate change and the arrival of new predators, such as dingoes, which were introduced around that time. However, the extinction of the thylacine on Tasmania, where it persisted until the 20th century, is a more recent and well-documented event.
When Europeans arrived in Australia, they found a small population of thylacines on the island of Tasmania. The settlers, unfamiliar with the species and fearing it as a threat to their livestock, initiated a campaign of extermination. The government bounty on thylacines, as mentioned, played a significant role in their decline. This bounty was a financial incentive for farmers and hunters to kill thylacines, which they saw as a threat to their sheep and other livestock. The bounty system was in place from 1888 to 1909, during which time thousands of thylacines were killed.
However, the bounty system is not the sole reason for the thylacine's extinction. Other factors include habitat loss due to the expansion of agricultural lands, which reduced the available territory for the thylacines to hunt and live. The introduction of non-native species, such as rabbits and foxes, also had a detrimental impact on the thylacine's ecosystem, as these species competed for the same prey and altered the landscape.
Furthermore, the disease could have played a role in the thylacine's decline. There is evidence to suggest that diseases carried by domestic dogs and other introduced species may have affected the thylacine population. The thylacines, having evolved in isolation, may not have had the immunity to fight off these new diseases.
Another factor to consider is human interference in the form of direct killing or accidental trapping. As the thylacine became more rare, it also became more valuable as a specimen for collectors and museums. This led to increased hunting pressure, both legal and illegal, as people sought to capture or kill the last remaining individuals.
Lastly, the lack of genetic diversity within the thylacine population may have made it more susceptible to extinction. Small populations are more vulnerable to the effects of inbreeding, which can lead to a decrease in genetic fitness and an increased risk of extinction.
In conclusion, the extinction of the thylacine was not caused by a single factor but was the result of a combination of human activities, environmental changes, and biological pressures. The thylacine's story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of human interaction with wildlife and the importance of conservation efforts to protect endangered species.
2024-05-25 22:45:15
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Works at the International Organization for Migration, Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
One of Australia's most fabled species, the Tasmanian tiger, also known as the thylacine, went extinct on the continent's mainland around 2000 years ago. A small population of thylacines persisted on Tasmania when Europeans arrived in Australia. ... The government bounty may seem to be the obvious extinction culprit.Jan 31, 2013
2023-06-10 02:24:00
Oliver Rodriguez
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
One of Australia's most fabled species, the Tasmanian tiger, also known as the thylacine, went extinct on the continent's mainland around 2000 years ago. A small population of thylacines persisted on Tasmania when Europeans arrived in Australia. ... The government bounty may seem to be the obvious extinction culprit.Jan 31, 2013
