Scats tested for Tassie tiger DNA

SCIENTISTS have investigated scat samples to determine the likelihood they belong to a living thylacine.

The analysis of three different animal droppings, two from Tasmania and one from South Australia, has found no presence of thylacine DNA.

The investigation was done by the Australian Water Quality Centre, a business unit of South Australia’s water authority SA Water.

The analysis follows samples sent in by South Australian thylacine enthusiast Neil Waters, who runs the Thylacine Awareness Group of Australia. The Australian Water Quality Centre’s senior manager of laboratory services, Karen Simpson, said the samples were tested several times but “unfortunately” showed no presence of thylacine DNA.

“We did, however, detect the DNA of vertebrates such as fox, wallaby, wombat, possum and kangaroo from the scats, meaning these animals either produced the scat or were potentially eaten and then digested by the host animal,” she said.

The specialist water centre uses advanced robotic equipment to determine what organisms have been in contact with water and sewerage sources.

While the labs are not actively pursuing any search for thylacines, it has said it would be possible to take samples from water bodies in Tasmania to see if there is any chance of detection of a Tasmanian tiger.

Mr Waters, who sent the scat samples to the centre for testing, said he would send larger samples to the labs for a more thorough analysis.

“I gave them only a small amount to test,” he said.

He said the South Australian sample came back with the fox DNA, while the Tasmanian samples had wombat and wallaby as the most likely sources. Mr Waters said it would take unequivocal evidence, such as DNA, to prove the existence of the thylacine.

He said videos of supposed sightings were easy to dispute.

“I know the thylacine exists, we just need the proof.”

Three Tasmanian thylacine trackers released footage this month of what they believe is “proof” a population of thylacines live in the state. But the footage is not being acted upon or treated as evidence by the State Government.