Return of the Tasmanian Tiger? New DNA Cloning Project Sparks Hope

For nearly a century, the Tasmanian tiger—officially known as the thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus)—has been a symbol of extinction, a haunting reminder of humanity’s impact on wildlife. But now, a bold new DNA cloning project is raising hopes that this iconic marsupial predator could one day walk the forests of Tasmania again.

Scientists and biotechnology companies are leveraging cutting-edge genetic engineering, stem cell research, and de-extinction techniques to attempt what was once thought impossible: bringing the thylacine back from the dead. While skeptics question the feasibility and ethics of such an endeavor, proponents argue that this could be a groundbreaking step in conservation and ecological restoration.

The Ghost of Tasmania’s Past

The thylacine was a unique carnivorous marsupial, resembling a striped dog with a stiff tail and a pouch. Once widespread across Australia and New Guinea, it was driven to extinction on the mainland by human activity and competition with dingoes. By the time European settlers arrived in Tasmania, the thylacine was already rare.

Relentless hunting, fueled by bounties and fears of livestock predation, sealed its fate. The last known thylacine, named Benjamin, died in captivity at the Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart in 1936—just months after the species was granted protected status. Since then, unconfirmed sightings and blurry photographs have kept the legend alive, but no definitive evidence of its survival has emerged.

The Science of De-Extinction

In recent years, advances in genetic technology have made the idea of “de-extinction” less like science fiction and more like a plausible scientific challenge. The process typically involves:

1. Extracting and Sequencing DNA – Scientists need high-quality genetic material to reconstruct the thylacine’s genome. Fortunately, several well-preserved specimens exist in museums, and in 2022, researchers at the University of Melbourne successfully sequenced the near-complete genome of a juvenile thylacine preserved in alcohol since 1866.
2. Editing a Living Relative’s DNA – Since cloning an extinct species directly is currently impossible, scientists plan to use CRISPR gene-editing technology to modify the DNA of a close living relative—likely the fat-tailed dunnart, a small marsupial—to match the thylacine’s genetic blueprint.
3. Stem Cells and Surrogacy – The edited DNA would be inserted into stem cells, which could then be grown into embryos and implanted into a surrogate mother (possibly a larger marsupial like a Tasmanian devil).

This approach mirrors efforts to revive the woolly mammoth using elephant DNA, spearheaded by Harvard geneticist George Church and the company Colossal Biosciences.

The TIGRR Lab and Colossal’s Mission

Leading the charge is the Thylacine Integrated Genomic Restoration Research (TIGRR) Lab at the University of Melbourne, in partnership with Texas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences. Dr. Andrew Pask, who heads the TIGRR Lab, believes the thylacine is an ideal candidate for de-extinction due to Tasmania’s relatively intact ecosystem and the availability of genetic material.

“This is the project that could prove de-extinction is possible,” Pask told The Guardian. “We’re not just bringing back a species—we’re restoring an ecological role that’s been missing for nearly 90 years.”

Colossal, which has already raised hundreds of millions in funding for mammoth de-extinction, sees the thylacine as another milestone in its mission to “regeneticize” extinct species.

Challenges and Ethical Concerns

Despite the excitement, significant hurdles remain:

• Genetic Gaps – Even with a near-complete genome, some portions are missing or degraded, requiring sophisticated AI predictions to fill in the blanks.
• Developmental Biology – Marsupials give birth to highly underdeveloped young, meaning the surrogate mother’s biology must perfectly align with the thylacine embryo’s needs.
• Ecological Reintegration – If successful, would a resurrected thylacine survive in today’s Tasmania? Would it disrupt existing ecosystems?

Ethical debates also loom large. Critics argue that de-extinction could divert resources from saving currently endangered species. Others worry about unintended consequences, such as creating genetically unstable animals or introducing diseases.

Dr. Jeremy Austin, an evolutionary biologist, cautions, “We risk creating a genetic zombie—something that looks like a thylacine but doesn’t behave like one. The real challenge isn’t just bringing it back, but ensuring it can thrive.”

A Symbol of Hope—Or Hubris?

For many Australians, especially Indigenous communities, the thylacine holds deep cultural significance. Some see its potential return as a form of redemption for past ecological destruction.

“If we can undo even one extinction, it sends a powerful message about our responsibility to nature,” says conservationist Forrest Galante, host of Extinct or Alive.

Yet, others argue that the focus should remain on preventing future extinctions rather than chasing past ones.

What’s Next?

The TIGRR Lab estimates that the first thylacine-like embryo could be developed within a decade, though full de-extinction may take longer. Meanwhile, Colossal is pushing ahead with parallel projects, including the woolly mammoth and the dodo.

Whether or not the thylacine returns, its story has already changed—from a tragic tale of loss to a beacon of scientific ambition. As Dr. Pask puts it, “This isn’t just about the past. It’s about reimagining what conservation can be in the future.”

For now, the dream of hearing a thylacine’s eerie bark in the wild once more remains just that—a dream. But science is inching closer to turning that dream into reality.