A recent and unexpected discovery in a Melbourne museum has reignited hopes of reviving the Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, an extinct marsupial. Researchers found a well-preserved thylacine head stored in a bucket of ethanol for over a century. Despite its macabre appearance, the specimen contained vital RNA molecules and high-quality ancient DNA, both essential for reconstructing the thylacine’s genome.

This groundbreaking work is being led by Colossal, a Texas-based biotechnology company focused on de-extinction and species preservation. Colossal aims to bring back not only the thylacine but also other extinct species like the woolly mammoth and the dodo. With significant funding—over $235 million—and a global team of 155 researchers, Colossal is making substantial strides toward its goal of returning the thylacine to its native habitat.

The thylacine was once Australia’s sole marsupial apex predator, roaming the continent until its population dwindled and it became confined to Tasmania about 3,000 years ago. Its decline was accelerated by extensive hunting and habitat loss, leading to its extinction in the 1930s. The last known thylacine died in captivity, and the species was officially declared extinct in the 1980s.

To reconstruct the thylacine, scientists are employing gene-editing techniques to transform stem cells from the fat-tailed dunnart, a small marsupial with DNA similar to that of the thylacine. While researchers anticipate the first “thylacine-looking thing” could be born within three to five years, they caution that this creature will not be a true thylacine, as many of its biological traits and behaviors remain unknown.

The ambitious de-extinction project has garnered both excitement and skepticism. Critics question the ethical implications of reviving extinct species, especially when numerous living species are currently endangered. Ecologists like Euan Ritchie emphasize the uncertainties surrounding the behavior of reintroduced species and their potential impact on existing ecosystems. As scientists grapple with the genetic challenges of resurrecting the thylacine, they must also consider the ecological realities of reintroducing a species that has been absent for decades, raising critical questions about its role in a modern ecosystem.

In essence, while the prospect of bringing back the thylacine offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of conservation and genetic science, it also prompts deep ethical and ecological considerations that must be addressed as the project moves forward.