http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/19/AR2006061901356.html
I was always fascinated by these critters, and sad they're gone.
I was always fascinated by these critters, and sad they're gone.
Thylacine Dreams
- Thread starter MarkC
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I agree it is a real tragedy, and shameful for us. Did you know that the Caspian, Bali, and Javan subspecies of tiger are also extinct? And the future does not look bright for the remaining subspecies: Siberian, Bengal, Sumatran, Indochinese.
The thylacine is not the only Tasmanian inhabitant wiped out by European settlers: I've read in several places that the native peoples were considered vermin and hunted accordingly. (I'm not an anthropologist, and perhaps the situation was more complicated than that, but then perhaps it really was that simple.) The last of them, a mixed servant woman, died in the 1870s or 80s. There is apparently a very brief and scratchy recording of her speaking her language, but it is not enough to reconstruct the language.
We lose so many things to ignorance and pig-headedness.
The thylacine is not the only Tasmanian inhabitant wiped out by European settlers: I've read in several places that the native peoples were considered vermin and hunted accordingly. (I'm not an anthropologist, and perhaps the situation was more complicated than that, but then perhaps it really was that simple.) The last of them, a mixed servant woman, died in the 1870s or 80s. There is apparently a very brief and scratchy recording of her speaking her language, but it is not enough to reconstruct the language.
We lose so many things to ignorance and pig-headedness.
"We lose so many things to ignorance and pig-headedness."
And Big Business..... like drinkable water and breathable air.
P.B.
And Big Business..... like drinkable water and breathable air.
P.B.
JHZR2
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they were neat animals, it really is a shame theyre gone... Too bad a jurassic park type thing couldnt be done to make some of these extinct species live once again.
maybe someone can post some feel-good information on a "thylacine cycle" claiming that science is all wrong, its all figured out and secret ideas are accepted through the rest of the world... and the ideas of extinction are incorrect, so you ca bet your bottom dollar the animals will show up again...
riiiiight...
JMH
maybe someone can post some feel-good information on a "thylacine cycle" claiming that science is all wrong, its all figured out and secret ideas are accepted through the rest of the world... and the ideas of extinction are incorrect, so you ca bet your bottom dollar the animals will show up again...
riiiiight...
JMH
On the whole, people are living longer and healthier today than at any time in human history, particularly in the democratic nations. The 3rd world nations have their own issues (corruption, war, dictators, hateful religions, ...).
The "good old days" of plentiful water and air, uncorrupted by wealth creating business? No thanks.
Interesting subject.
I did read recently that some Australian scientists might try to clone a thylacine one day soon if they can get good DNA samples, so I don't think it's altogether out of the question, though I have not heard anything about it recently.
I did read recently that some Australian scientists might try to clone a thylacine one day soon if they can get good DNA samples, so I don't think it's altogether out of the question, though I have not heard anything about it recently.
the thylacine lasted into the 1930's. The human Tasmanians didnt make it into the 20th century
Much like Sasquatch, there have been "sightings" of thylacine-like animals running around, but so far no proof.
Maybe wishful thinking results in seeing glimpses of what we want to.
It does suk when animals, as well as cultures are driven to extinction by us.
I hope the day doesn't come when the only animals left are us, our food and pet animals, and those wild ones adaptable enough to live with us, despite us, like coyotes, crows, etc. or the only cultures are bastardized consumerist ones.
We have a lot to answer for one of these days.
Maybe wishful thinking results in seeing glimpses of what we want to.
It does suk when animals, as well as cultures are driven to extinction by us.
I hope the day doesn't come when the only animals left are us, our food and pet animals, and those wild ones adaptable enough to live with us, despite us, like coyotes, crows, etc. or the only cultures are bastardized consumerist ones.
We have a lot to answer for one of these days.
Especially nice were Spaniards. They especially liked breeding with the natives and beating some religion into them. Then they killed the culture, wiped out some cool history (especially the native drug induced human sacrifice bits), introduced their own politics and took the gold (after melting it).
Only to have some swarthy, smelly English, in frilly clothes and eye patches steal it on the way home. Bullies.
History was brutal.
Did I leave anything out?
[ July 14, 2006, 09:58 PM: Message edited by: Bio-T ]
Only to have some swarthy, smelly English, in frilly clothes and eye patches steal it on the way home. Bullies.
History was brutal.
Did I leave anything out?
[ July 14, 2006, 09:58 PM: Message edited by: Bio-T ]
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What happens in the bush, stays in the bush.
The part about white boys giving blankets to the Indians. Blankets with smallpox.
But I digress, I started the thread to moan about extinct animals.
But I digress, I started the thread to moan about extinct animals.
Oh yeah, those natives. No resistance to disease - what would Darwin say?
I read a very interesting book about that several years ago - in particular about the USA revolutionary war, natives and small pox. No we didn't do it on purpose.
I read a very interesting book about that several years ago - in particular about the USA revolutionary war, natives and small pox. No we didn't do it on purpose.
I don't know if I want any Sasquatches or Dino's (unless I can make oil out of them) running around in my neighborhood anyway. I hate losing these species, but, I guess it's the nature of things. I do believe man is the only being created that can appreciate these species and try to save them. WE may be able to even recreate them!!!! (Of course with credits given to the original creator)
Can we try not to get this thread closed, please?
I believe the point originally was that there are worthy things (thylacines, for instance) that are no more, and that the world is thus diminished.
Pablo, Of course some extinctions happen in the natural course of things. But in the long view, it is reasonable to think that Darwin would lament the loss of total genetic diversity on the planet, in part because in the VERY long view, humans will ultimately be the genetic losers in that process. A biological balance should be sought after. If that happens to work with mystical or moralistic facets for some people, well, I fail to understand it, but I'm genuinely happy for them. The reasons are very much pragmatic for me, though, and also ethical. That is, if we can consciously choose a course that avoids causing the extinction of some animal specie, and if it is of little or no consequence to our own specie either way, then how is it "natural" to let the extinction happen?
I believe the point originally was that there are worthy things (thylacines, for instance) that are no more, and that the world is thus diminished.
Pablo, Of course some extinctions happen in the natural course of things. But in the long view, it is reasonable to think that Darwin would lament the loss of total genetic diversity on the planet, in part because in the VERY long view, humans will ultimately be the genetic losers in that process. A biological balance should be sought after. If that happens to work with mystical or moralistic facets for some people, well, I fail to understand it, but I'm genuinely happy for them. The reasons are very much pragmatic for me, though, and also ethical. That is, if we can consciously choose a course that avoids causing the extinction of some animal specie, and if it is of little or no consequence to our own specie either way, then how is it "natural" to let the extinction happen?
Well they still have the Tasmanian Devil but some disease is wiping it out fast. Ugly little critter.
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife/mammals/devil.html
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife/mammals/devil.html
What the heck good would these things be to us anyway? What's the point of keeping a species around just for the point of having it? They'd still be killing livestock and maybe children today if the do-gooders had been successful in "saving" them. Just like wolves around here- there was a reason my great-grandparent's generation killed most of them off. They're foul, dangerous, worthless creatures. We saved the only redeeming qualities they had- they're called Labrador Retreivers. But now my parent's worthless baby boom generation is going and screwing it all up, trying to bring those awful things back. What makes the human race great (and keeps us on top of the food chain) is doing what we need to do to use our environment to our advantage and change it as necessary to be more productive. That sometimes involves getting rid of undesirable creatures. Unfortunately, some seem to be losing sight of this, and I fear for our future. Life's tough- we need to kill or be killed.
You obviously don't know very much about wolves.
But your mind is to likely to change, so I won't bother.
However, please find some documentation of wolves in N. America killing humans, or of Thylacines in Tasmania doing the same.
More livestock is lost to coyotes than ever was to wolves, who will avoid humans and their animals as long as they're own prey is around. Unchecked herbivore populations are very damaging.
A good place to start learning is to study the Yeloowstone area's ecosystem before and after the reintroduction of wolves.
Anyway, the point is that every time we lose a species, the planet is smaller, as are we.
If you don't agree, fine.
Sorry this is slightly off-topic but it reminds me of an article I read a couple years ago. Apparently there is a small cat like species that lives in Sumatra or Indonesia and goes into coffee fields at night and eats the beans. The beans do not digest and the animal....ahem....expels them. These little piles -when found- are washed and the beans are ground and brewed and considered a delicacy. Fascinating.
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