What they have now is some DNA material extracted from a pup preserved in alcohol. Professor Mike Archer, the Museum's director, has said there is no reason to believe it contains anything less than the whole genome. If this proves true and if a genetic library can be created, if the DNA can then be revitalised, and if the resultant viable DNA can be cloned then it may be possible that one female thylacine will walk again. Dr Colgan gives the project an 8 per cent to 10 per cent chance of succeeding. Deep in our hearts we all know the Tasmanian tiger isn't extinct, and a short trip to Tasmania will confirm this.
Thylacines are everywhere.
Tiger lore is not confined to Tasmania. The Tasmanian Tourist Commission has taken up the creature for its logo and made new lairs around the country. Claimed sightings have been made in Victoria and Queensland. As far as Australian myth goes, the benighted animal is alive and kicking. No, instead we keep the thylacine alive because we like to think that somehow one last tiger exists.