The Tasmanian Tiger still exists, says Tiger King star: Jeff Lowe claims the Australian animal last seen 84 years ago is NOT extinct and ‘there is credible footage out there’
Jeff Lowe from the Netflix documentary series Tiger King believes the Tasmanian Tiger still exists.
Official records state that the last of the thylacine species died in a zoo in 1936.
But the big cat enthusiast, 67, told Hit 100.9 Hobart’s Jimmy & Nath there is ‘credible footage’ of the Australian animal that proves it isn’t extinct.
‘There is credible footage’: Jeff Lowe (pictured) from the Netflix documentary series Tiger King believes the Tasmanian Tiger still exists
‘I think it’s possible [they still exist] and I think it would be cool to find one,’ Jeff said.
‘It’s not that long ago when the last one died in a zoo so [there should be] one or even a hybrid that maybe was bred with a dog, coyote, wolf or a dingo.’
Jeff added that it would be extremely hard to find a surviving Tasmanian Tiger.
‘Quit trying so hard to find one because by the time you see him, he has seen you 20 times and if he’s been able to elude humans this long then he’s pretty smart,’ he said.
Can’t be found: Official records state that the last of the thylacine species died in a zoo in 1936
What is the Tasmanian Tiger?
The cat-like species is also known as the Thylacine and is a large carnivorous marsupial believed to have been extinct for more than 80 years.
The Tasmanian Tiger has yellowish-brown to grey fur, with 15 to 20 distinct dark stripes across its back, shoulders and tail.
The species also has a stiff tail, with relatively short legs. They have large and powerful jaws with about 46 teeth.
Tasmanian Tigers are mainly nocturnal or semi-nocturnal, move at a slow pace and were stiff in their movements.
Their diet consists of kangaroos and other marsupials, as well as small rodents and birds.
The decline of the animals were due to the competition of the dingo and the introduction of other dogs.
Source: The Australian Museum
Extinct: The last Tasmanian Tiger (pictured) to exist lived in Hobart Zoo and died in 1936
‘I think if they ever find one, it’s going to be because somebody has opened up their garage and there he is eating their trash… I doubt they’re going to trick one of these into a cage.’
According to the National Museum of Australia, sightings of the Tasmanian Tiger had become extremely rare by the mid-1930s.
The last thylacine died at the Beaumaris Zoo in 1936 from suspected neglect, just two months after the government had declared it a protected species.
‘He is pretty smart’: The big cat enthusiast, 67, told Hit 100.9 Hobart’s Jimmy & Nath there is ‘credible footage’ of the Australian animal that proves it isn’t extinct
Jeff rose to fame after appearing in Netflix documentary series Tiger King.
Tiger King tells the story of eccentric zoo owner and big cat breeder Joe Exotic, who spirals out of control while trying to arrange the murder of his rival Carole Baskin.
Jeff, who is one of Joe’s former business partners, owns Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, with his wife, Lauren.
Cultural phenomenon: Jeff rose to fame after appearing in Netflix documentary series Tiger King, which tells the story of eccentric zoo owner and big cat breeder Joe Exotic (pictured), who spirals out of control while trying to arrange the murder of his rival Carole Baskin
Business: Jeff, who is one of Joe Exotic’s former business partners, owns Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, with his wife, Lauren (pictured)