Day 23 – The Last Thylacine

Transcript of Day 23 – The Last Thylacine

Day 23 – The Last Thylacine

In the early 1930s, the Tasmanian wilderness was as untamed as the spirit of the thylacine, the elusive Tasmanian tiger. The species was in grave danger(1), critically endangered and facing extinction due to habitat destruction and relentless hunting spurred by bounties offered by farmers. Rumour had it(2) that there was only one Thylacine left in the wild(3).

Dr. Helen Bennett, a passionate wildlife biologist, believed capturing the last known thylacine in the wild could raise public awareness and protect the species. She knew the mission was a last-ditch effort(4) and a make-or-break(5) moment for the survival of the thylacine.

Her colleagues thought she was a few sandwiches short of a picnic(6) when they heard about her mission through the grapevine(7). Despite this, Helen remained steadfast in(8) her determination. She assembled a team, albeit a bit of a motley crew(9), comprising Tom Williams, an amazing tracker with a strange habit of talking to plants, and Liam Carter, a young, enthusiastic zookeeper who was always humming tunes from old musicals. Tom was dead set against(10) capturing the thylacine, believing that nature should take its course, while Liam couldn’t wait to get amongst it(11).

"Are you sure this isn't just a wild goose chase(12)?" Tom asked, as they prepared for the expedition.

"It might be," Helen admitted, "but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush(13)."

"So, you think it’s better to capture one instead of just leaving them to kick the bucket(14) in the wild?" Tom questioned.

"Yeah, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head(15)," Helen replied. "If we capture a thylacine, it could be the turning point for the species. If we sit on our hands(16) and do nothing, they’ll most likely disappear before our eyes(17)."

Tom looked unconvinced. “Isn’t it better to just let nature take its course(18) though?” he countered.

Helen got slightly irritated. “Nature didn’t put them in their current predicament. Humans did.” She took a breath and calmed down a little. “So, no. I don’t think we’re playing God(19). I think we’re righting the wrongs(20).”

“Anyway, that’s enough jibber-jabber(21). Let’s finish getting ready,” she said with a smile.

The team embarked on their journey into the dense Tasmanian wilderness, facing harsh weather and difficult terrain. The deeper they ventured, the more they grappled with the realisation that they might be too late. Perhaps the ship had sailed(22) and the last thylacine was already gone.

As the days passed, Tom became increasingly doubtful and began to second guess(23) the mission’s purpose again.

"I just don't see the point anymore," Tom muttered one night by the campfire. "This feels like searching for a needle in a haystack(24). How do we even know this thylacine is still kicking(25) and alive out here? We might just be chasing our own tails(26)."

Helen, resolute, responded, "The ball is in your court(27), Tom. If you want to bail on(28) the mission, go for it(29). But I'm staying. The mission’s too important."

At the end of the first week, the team finally found signs of the thylacine. Fresh tracks and scat reignited their hope and greatly boosted morale(30).

One morning, Tom got up early feeling the call of nature(31). He wandered away from his tent, still half-asleep, when he suddenly heard a twig snap. As he looked up, he caught sight of(32) the creature. The thylacine, with its distinctive striped back and slender frame, stood not more than twenty feet away, its eyes reflecting the dim light. Tom was quite literally caught with his pants down(33), not expecting to see anything, let alone(34) the very animal they had been searching for.

"Strewth(35), Helen! You were right!" Tom yelled out to himself, his scepticism evaporating in a heartbeat.

He piss bolted(36) back to the camp, nearly tripping over roots and stones in his haste.

“Helen! Liam!” he called out, his voice trembling with excitement and disbelief. “I caught a glimpse of it(37)! The thylacine!”

Helen and Liam scrambled out of their tents, eyes wide with anticipation. “Are you having us on(38)?” Helen asked, grabbing her binoculars and notebook.

“No way(39). I’m dead serious,” Tom replied. “We were pretty much nose to nose(40)! It was right there, only a few metres away.”

“We need to set the trap right away,” Liam said, his enthusiasm contagious. “This is our best shot(41).”

The team quickly gathered their gear and headed to the spot where Tom had seen the thylacine. They worked with bated breath(42), setting up the trap with precision and care, hoping their efforts would finally bear fruit(43).

To lure the thylacine, they baited the trap with a mix of fresh meat, the scent of which would be irresistible to a hungry predator. They also added a few strategically placed scent markers to mimic the presence of other animals, in their efforts to cover all bases(44) and ensure success.

With the trap set, the team retreated to a nearby hideout, a makeshift shelter that provided a good vantage point(45). While they waited, the hours seemed to drag on forever(46). Helen and Liam passed the time by reviewing their notes and discussing the significance of their mission. And, Tom, well, he was in hook, line, and sinker(47) now. He was like a dog with a bone(48) and couldn’t take his eyes off the trap.

As night fell, the team took turns keeping watch(49). The sounds of the wilderness filled the air, and the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife(50). Each rustle of leaves or snap of a twig could signal the arrival of the thylacine. Finally, just before dawn, they heard the distinct sound of the trap door slamming shut. They approached the trap on tiptoe(51) with their hearts in their mouths(52).

And then they saw it. The moment had arrived—they successfully got a hold of(53) the thylacine. As they looked at the creature, a mix of exhilaration and sorrow washed over them. The thylacine, with its striped back and piercing eyes, was a magnificent sight. It paced nervously within the cage, seemingly aware of its confinement.

Helen’s eyes filled with tears of both joy and sadness. “We did it,” she whispered. “We actually pulled it off(54).”

Liam couldn’t contain his excitement. “This is going to be a game changer(55) for conservation efforts. People need to see this.”

Tom was still in two minds(56). Whilst part of him was relieved that they had accomplished their mission, another part of him lamented their success. If it really was the last thylacine in the wild, it deserved to live out its days(57) in freedom.

“Let’s get it to the zoo safely.” Tom said with a tinge of sorry in his voice. “We’ve got a long journey ahead. We can't afford to fumble the ball(58) now.”

Helen could sense Tom’s conflicting emotions and partly shared his sentiment(59). She knew deep down(60) that he valued the natural freedom of the thylacine as much as she valued the scientific significance of their mission.

As they prepared to transport the creature, Helen's resolve began to waver(61). She looked at the thylacine, now calm and staring back at her with intelligent eyes. "Tom," she said, her voice shaking, "I don't think I can do this."

Tom was stunned. "Helen, are you serious(62)? We've come this far."

Helen took a deep breath. "You were right. This thylacine belongs in the wild, not in a cage. To hell with the science. This is about the animal in front of us. For its own sake(63), she deserves to stay free."

Tom smiled. “Do you want to let her out or can I?”

“You can do the honours(64), Tom.” Helen replied.

Tom approached the trap, his heart pounding as he felt a mix of relief and butterflies in his stomach(65). He carefully unlatched the door, opening it inch by inch(66) to avoid startling the thylacine. The creature hesitated for a moment, its intelligent eyes meeting Tom's as if it had read his mind(67) and understood what was happening. Then, quick as a flash(68), the thylacine swiftly bounded out of the cage and disappeared into the dense underbrush. Tom was filled with a sense of profound peace as he watched it go. They had chosen the right path(69).

As the group gathered their gear and prepared to leave, the weight of their decision hung over them(69).

“So, what are we going to tell everyone when we return to base(70)?” Liam asked, breaking the silence(71).

“I guess we came up empty-handed(72),” Tom replied, glancing at Helen for confirmation. “The thylacine must already be extinct.”

Helen nodded, her resolve solidifying. “Yes, that’s the story. It’s all for the better(73). The world doesn’t need another animal in captivity. It needs hope, and sometimes hope means letting go(74).”

Liam looked thoughtful. “It’s a stroke of irony(75), isn’t it? We came out here to capture the last of its kind, and now we’re letting it go, but maybe that’s the real victory.”

Helen smiled. “Exactly. We’ve given her a chance to see out her days(76) in freedom. But we still need to inspire others to do more to protect what’s left of the wild.”

As they began their journey back, the team felt a mixture of sadness and triumph. They had come seeking to capture the last thylacine, but instead, they had found something far more valuable: the courage to let it go.