Fossilised Tasmanian Tiger found in South
Australia
ABC Online 26/08/2001Paleontologists in
South Australia have unearthed the fossilised remains of a Tasmanian Tiger estimated to be
33,000 years old.
The fossilised skeleton of the Thylacine was uncovered during fieldwork near Burra in the
state's mid north.
Researchers stumbled upon the partially-exposed jaw-line and limbs of the tiger while
excavating the fossil site, which has already uncovered the remains of some of Australia's
better known mega-fauna species.
Already this year, scientists have recovered the partial skeletons of two Diprotodons, the
ancient ancestors of the wombat and kangaroo.
Associate Professor Rod Wells from Flinders University says given that preliminary dating
suggests the fossils are 33,000 years old, the find could disprove the theory that
mega-fauna species died out more than 40,000 years ago.
END OF REPORT
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