This
section of the museum explores various aspects of the thylacine's history
following the European settlement of Australia. It also examines
both sides of the extinction debate.
"Persecution"
discusses the war of extermination that man once waged against the thylacine.
It explores the negative public attitude which gave rise to the bounty
schemes leading to the destruction of so many thylacines during the 19th
and early 20th centuries.
"The Tasmanian
Bushmen" is a historical presentation about the lives of the Tasmanian
bushmen, focusing on their experiences with the thylacine.
"Expeditions and
Searches" details the various search efforts for the thylacine that
have been undertaken since 1936, following the death of the last known
captive individual at the Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart.
In "Extinction
vs. Survival", the various human-induced impacts that led to the massive
decline in thylacine numbers, as well as the possibility of the present-day
survival of the thylacine, is discussed in-depth.
"Alleged Mainland
Thylacine Sightings" explores some of the accounts of alleged thylacine
sightings which suggest that the species may still exist on the Australian
mainland.
"Magnificent Survivor"
is a presentation detailing the field research and events that led to the
writing of the online publication "Magnificent Survivor - Continued
Existence of the Tasmanian Tiger".
"The Collectors"
is a completely new section of the museum detailing the efforts of some
of the major historical collectors to secure thylacine specimens for museum
and university collections. |