Tasmanian tiger— back from the dead

Tasmanian tiger to be reborn - 10th October 2022

Preparations for an exciting project have begun at the University of Melbourne, where scientists are planning to bring back the Tasmanian tiger. The animal died out nearly one hundred years ago, but scientists' plans involve using and adapting DNA.

Tasmanian tigers have stripes on their backs, but are closer to dogs than cats in appearance. As they 're marsupials, they have pouches on their stomach to keep their young. They were meat-eaters, even feeding on kangaroos, and were blamed by farmers for killing sheep. As a result, the tigers were hunted and before long, they died out.

Scientists like professor Andrew Pask will attempt to reintroduce the species. The process involves taking DNA from the relative of the Tasmanian tiger – the dunnart. Bioscientists will then make changes to the dunnart genes. As Pask explained, "We are essentially engineering our dunnart cell to become a Tasmanian tiger cell."

The dunnart animal will also act as a substitute mother, to carry the newly developed baby. This might sound improbable, as the dunnart's only mouse-sized. However, at birth the size of both marsupials' young is similar to a grain of rice.

The return of the Tasmanian tiger would be welcomed by many, who see it as part of the island's rich history. However, not everyone agrees. Some feel the money could go towards saving those animals now at risk of dying out.