9. Thylacine
Australia has witnessed the unfortunate extinction of several unique species, one of them being the thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger. A carnivorous marsupial once found across New Guinea, Australia, and South Tasmania, the thylacine’s extinction had devastating effects on the ecosystem. The removal of an apex predator disrupted the balance, leading to widespread diseases and the unchecked spread of invasive species.
Colossal has teamed up with the University of Melbourne and the Thylacine de-Extinction program to bring the thylacine back to life. Using preserved specimens and gene editing techniques, they aim to reintroduce the species and rebalance the Tasmanian ecosystem.
