How Did the Tasmanian Tiger Become Extinct?
The thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, was driven to extinction by a combination of factors:
- Introduced predators such as dogs competed for food and preyed on thylacines
- Habitat loss from European settlement, agriculture, and forestry
- Hunting and government bounties targeting the species as a livestock threat
- Diseases brought by settlers
- Low genetic diversity that limited adaptability
The last known thylacine died in captivity in the early 20th century.