It's a detail from a section of a preserved skin of a Tasmanian Tiger, also known as a Thylacine. This animal was (not tense) a marsupial, like a kangaroo, that looked a bit like a wolf with stripes. It went about on all fours and was last seen in the wild in the 1930s in Tasmania.
It was basically hunted to extinction because of its (alleged) predation on sheep. Such stories are both familiar and saddening.
What is even more saddening is that the 1930s seem so recent, and yet we still lost this animal. Who knows, perhaps it lingered on for a few more years, and maybe that last thylacine was still out there when I was born. Maybe.
Some people believe they are still out there, in the wilds of Tasmania, scarce, secret and private.
Do I think they are still there? No.
But a little hope never does any harm.
You can find more macro shots at Macro Monday 2 and I Heart Macro.
Yes it is very sad to totally lose a species. Man is his own worse enemy
ReplyDeleteVery sad story...
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to think of what we've, meaning humans of the past, have done. Come to think of it I am sure people will think the same of us, meaning people today. Some people still swear they've had sightings but the likelihood of Tasmanian Tigers still being out there would be pretty slim and if so it must be an extremely tiny population. As you said, we can hope.
ReplyDeleteThat's a sad story
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart,
ReplyDeleteIt is always bad when extinct animals.
Often, the human beings responsible for this.
Best regards, Irma.
I miss comments on my blog of your??
It's a big world. Perhaps out there somewhere. . .
ReplyDeleteAs you say Stewart, a sad but all too familiar story. I'll bet that was a wonderful animal to behold.
ReplyDeleteHello Stewart, it is sad to hear of a lost species.. It is worse when you realize that humans were responsible for the loss.. Will a lesson ever be learned? Have a happy day and new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteit sounded quite unique.
ReplyDeleteriles me so much, I really despair that the Chinese are still behind reason why many animals are hunted across the world.
ReplyDeleteLost species are indeed sad! I do agree with Eileen and wonder if humans will ever learn the lesson!! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI whole heartedly agree..We are destroying this planet !!! Oh, don't get me started...We have lost several species in my short (relatively) lifetime..I guess we've saved a few as well but for how long?? Will we ever learn?? I have a blogger friend in Tasmania but I can't remember her blog name..The next time I hear from her, I'll have to remember this post..
ReplyDeleteI've seen the black and white film of that last one in captivity. Maybe someday it can be brought back through DNA cloning or some scientific process I don't understand.
ReplyDeleteHow sad!
ReplyDeletenot comfortable, and rather stomach churning to say the least.
ReplyDeleteThe pics are great, thanks for your determination!
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I agree, very sad. So many extinct and threatened species over a very short period of time. Definitely not sustainable.
ReplyDeleteOh how very sad!
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad story and if only it had lasted a few more years when breeding of endangered animals in zoos started we might still have some today.
ReplyDeleteSo sad, we have lost so much through ignorance.
ReplyDeleteI hate this kind of loss so much! Such a recent demise, as well, like the ivory billed woodpecker. People tend to hold onto hope that there is still a small family of remnants and it just isn't likely. Very very sad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a a beautifully unique animal it was. Such a shame that we can only see preserved specimens in museums.
ReplyDeleteMaybe?
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad. How many more species are we going to lose?
ReplyDeleteI hope some are still hiding out, living a full life somewhere… it is a terrible tragedy, the loss of creatures and plants due to human foolishness. Thanks for sharing this rare and precious beauty with I Heart Macro:-)
ReplyDelete