Scientists Are Bringing the Tasmanian Tiger Back from the Dead—And It’s Happening Sooner Than Anyone Thought!

For nearly a century, the Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, has been considered lost to history—a victim of hunting, habitat destruction, and government policies that wiped out Australia’s last marsupial apex predator. The species was officially declared extinct in 1936, when the last known thylacine died in captivity at the Hobart Zoo.

Now, in a stunning scientific development, researchers claim they are closer than ever to reversing its extinction. A team of U.S. and Australian scientists has successfully reconstructed 99.9% of the Tasmanian tiger’s genome, unlocking the possibility of bringing the species back to life.

The breakthrough, led by Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based biotechnology company, represents a major step in de-extinction science. Colossal, which is also working on reviving the woolly mammoth and the dodo, has combined advanced genetic sequencing, gene editing, and reproductive technology to recreate the thylacine’s DNA with unprecedented accuracy.

A 108-Year-Old Specimen That Changed Everything

One of the biggest challenges in reviving extinct species is the fragility of DNA. Genetic material breaks down over time, and most attempts to sequence the genome of long-lost creatures fail because the DNA is too degraded to be useful.

But in this case, scientists struck gold.

A 108-year-old thylacine pup, preserved in alcohol at a museum in Melbourne, provided researchers with an exceptionally well-preserved genetic sample. This rare find allowed them to extract not only DNA but also RNA molecules, which revealed how the thylacine’s genes functioned.

“The thylacine samples used for our new reference genome are among the best-preserved ancient specimens my team has worked with,” said Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s chief science officer.

By analyzing the RNA, researchers could determine what the thylacine could taste, how it smelled, how it processed light, and even how its brain functioned. This level of detail goes beyond traditional genetic reconstruction, giving scientists an unprecedented view into the biology of an extinct predator.

“With this new resource in hand, we will be able to determine what a thylacine could taste, what it could smell, what kind of vision it had, and even how its brain functioned,” explained Professor Andrew Pask from the University of Melbourne, a leading researcher on the project.

Rewriting the DNA of a Living Species to Bring Back the Tasmanian Tiger

Sequencing the thylacine’s genome is only half the battle. The next step? Turning that genetic blueprint into a living, breathing animal.

Since no living thylacines exist to act as surrogates, scientists are turning to CRISPR gene-editing technology to modify the DNA of its closest living relative—a small marsupial called the fat-tailed dunnart.

Although the dunnart is a fraction of the size of a Tasmanian tiger, the two species are genetically similar. Scientists have already made over 300 genetic modifications to dunnart cells in the lab, replacing key genes with thylacine-specific ones.

But the process isn’t as simple as changing a few strands of DNA. Scientists must also perfect marsupial reproductive technology, including methods to induce ovulation in dunnarts and grow embryos outside of the womb. These techniques—similar to IVF procedures in humans—are critical for developing a viable thylacine embryo.

How Close Are We to Seeing a Living Tasmanian Tiger?

Colossal Biosciences claims that thylacine-like creatures could be born within a decade if current research progresses as planned. However, not everyone is convinced that the project will succeed—or that it should.

Critics argue that de-extinction projects divert resources from conservation efforts aimed at protecting living species currently at risk of extinction. A staggering one-fifth of Australia’s native mammals are in decline, and some conservationists believe millions of dollars spent on reviving the thylacine would be better used to save species like the Tasmanian devil, which faces a devastating facial tumor disease.

Other scientists question the ethics and ecological risks of bringing back an animal that hasn’t existed for nearly a century. Would the Tasmanian tiger be able to survive in modern Tasmania, where its habitat has changed dramatically? Would it be able to hunt and behave naturally, or would it struggle as a genetically engineered curiosity?

Some researchers remain highly skeptical. “De-extinction is a fairy tale science,” said Professor Jeremy Austin from the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, dismissing the project as scientific fantasy.

However, others argue that even if full de-extinction isn’t achieved, the research could yield valuable breakthroughs in genetic science, conservation, and marsupial reproductive technology. These advancements could help save endangered species today, providing new tools for preserving biodiversity in the face of climate change and habitat destruction.