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Thylacine sightings

Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 Next review Nov 9, 2026

Painted illustration: striped dog-like marsupial standing in Tasmanian button-grass plain at dusk — AI rendition based on witness descriptions, not an actual photo.

A male and a female thylacine at the National Zoo in Washington, photographed in 1902. — A male and a female thylacine at the National Zoo in Washington, photographed in 1902 · E.J. Keller · Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) · Image source

Last thylacine yawning. — Last thylacine yawning · David Fleay · Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) · Image source

The Tasmanian tiger, officially extinct; reports of living animals continue in Tasmania and mainland Australia.

Open Verdict: Extinct on the record, though people keep looking.

Region: Oceania · Australia
First reports: Last known captive animal died 7 September 1936 (Hobart)

Key sightings

The IUCN declared it extinct in 1982, after 50 years without a confirmed record.
Searches including automatic camera stations have found no confirmed animal.

Best evidence

No confirmed photo, DNA or body since 1936.

Ledger cases

Sources