This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-37283793

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tasmanian tiger: The enduring belief in an extinct animal Tasmanian tiger: The enduring belief in an extinct animal
(about 2 hours later)
In the striped and hairy history of the Tasmanian tiger, those who believe the extinct animal has quietly survived have offered up all kinds of evidence.In the striped and hairy history of the Tasmanian tiger, those who believe the extinct animal has quietly survived have offered up all kinds of evidence.
The animal, also known as a thylacine, was declared extinct 80 years ago.The animal, also known as a thylacine, was declared extinct 80 years ago.
But over the decades various people have offered hazy eyewitness accounts and undocumented physical evidence as proof that some are still out there.But over the decades various people have offered hazy eyewitness accounts and undocumented physical evidence as proof that some are still out there.
This week, images shared online by a group of amateur enthusiasts was met with both excitement and scepticism. This week, images circulated by a group of amateur enthusiasts was met with both excitement and scepticism.
The grainy video footage, shared online by the Thylacine Awareness Group, purports to show an animal with a long tail moving through a backyard. The grainy video footage, posted online by the Thylacine Awareness Group, purports to show an animal with a long tail moving through a backyard.
Amateur researcher Neil Waters claims it shows a small thylacine, alive and well in South Australia's Adelaide Hills.Amateur researcher Neil Waters claims it shows a small thylacine, alive and well in South Australia's Adelaide Hills.
He has a theory that the carnivorous marsupial may have survived undiscovered on mainland Australia because it is an migratory apex predator which may burrow dens.He has a theory that the carnivorous marsupial may have survived undiscovered on mainland Australia because it is an migratory apex predator which may burrow dens.
"I first saw it in a book when I was a lad in primary school and it said 'presumed extinct' and it sparked something in my mind way back then that's never really gone away," he told the BBC."I first saw it in a book when I was a lad in primary school and it said 'presumed extinct' and it sparked something in my mind way back then that's never really gone away," he told the BBC.
Mr Waters also dismisses the suggestion that the search for the creature enters the realm of cryptozoology.Mr Waters also dismisses the suggestion that the search for the creature enters the realm of cryptozoology.
"There's plenty of specimens in museums around the world that proves this animal really did exist," he said."There's plenty of specimens in museums around the world that proves this animal really did exist," he said.
"I guess that gives us one advantage over someone that's looking for Big Foot or a UFO.""I guess that gives us one advantage over someone that's looking for Big Foot or a UFO."
Experts have roundly debunked the footage, arguing the blurry video does nothing to prove the continuing existence of the thylacineExperts have roundly debunked the footage, arguing the blurry video does nothing to prove the continuing existence of the thylacine
They point out that evidence of dead prey should also have been found.They point out that evidence of dead prey should also have been found.
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, a science commentator based at the University of Sydney, said the most surprising thing about the footage was its terrible quality.Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, a science commentator based at the University of Sydney, said the most surprising thing about the footage was its terrible quality.
"It's remarkable that it is out of focus in a time that we have autofocus cameras," he said."It's remarkable that it is out of focus in a time that we have autofocus cameras," he said.
His explanation for the perpetuation of the belief unexplained phenomenon is simple.His explanation for the perpetuation of the belief unexplained phenomenon is simple.
"For some people the world around them, they don't understand it, so they have to make stuff up.""For some people the world around them, they don't understand it, so they have to make stuff up."
The last known Tasmanian tiger died at Hobart zoo in 1936. The species was deliberately hunted to extinction by farmers incensed at the number of sheep killed by the carnivores.The last known Tasmanian tiger died at Hobart zoo in 1936. The species was deliberately hunted to extinction by farmers incensed at the number of sheep killed by the carnivores.
However, thousands of sighting have been reported in Tasmania and mainland Australian in the decades since.However, thousands of sighting have been reported in Tasmania and mainland Australian in the decades since.
In 2005, The Bulletin magazine offered a A$1.25m (£700,000; $1m) reward for the capture of a live thylacine.In 2005, The Bulletin magazine offered a A$1.25m (£700,000; $1m) reward for the capture of a live thylacine.
Scientists have even spoken about resurrecting the species through cloning schemes reminiscent of Jurassic Park.Scientists have even spoken about resurrecting the species through cloning schemes reminiscent of Jurassic Park.
Dr Cath Temper, a mammals expert from the South Australian museum, said the latest footage "could really be anything".Dr Cath Temper, a mammals expert from the South Australian museum, said the latest footage "could really be anything".
While there is a remote possibility there could be a few survivors in Tasmania, she says, this is unlikely to be the real thing, as "there's never been a thylacine specimen from the mainland".While there is a remote possibility there could be a few survivors in Tasmania, she says, this is unlikely to be the real thing, as "there's never been a thylacine specimen from the mainland".
"But you never know," she said. "It would be arrogant if I said there was no chance.""But you never know," she said. "It would be arrogant if I said there was no chance."