11 Extinct Animals That Have Been Photographed Alive
The current rate of extinction is 100 to 1000 times higher than the average, or background rate, making our current period the 6th major mass extinction in the planet’s history.
Although fossil reconstructions or pictorial representations can sometimes be difficult to connect with, it’s impossible to ignore the experience of seeing a photograph of an animal on the brink of extinction.
Thus, what follows is a list of 11 extinct animals that were photographed while still alive.
Tasmanian Tiger
- » See also: Mistaken Identity: Hunters Kill Endangered Pygmy Hippo During Pig Hunt!
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The last Tasmanian Tiger, or Thylacine, known to have existed died in the Hobart Zoo, in Tasmania, Australia, on September 7th, 1936. Despite being the last of its kind, the animal (named “Benjamin”) likely died due to neglect after being locked out of its sheltered quarters during extreme weather.
Although commonly referred to as ‘tigers’, and despite having the look of a canid, the Thylacine isn’t remotely related to cats or dogs. Rather, it was the largest carnivorous marsupial of modern times, meaning it carried its young in a pouch. Its closest living relative is the Tasmanian Devil.
>> Also see our latest post: 10 Animals on the Brink of Extinction
The biggest cause of their extinction in the wild was a massive hunting campaign instituted by the Tasmanian government from 1888 to 1909, justified because the Thylacines were believed to be a threat to sheep and hens. The last known wild Tasmanian Tiger was killed by a farmer named Wilf Batty in 1930, after spotting the animal around his hen house.
Quagga
The Quagga was a unique variety of Plains Zebra, marked by having stripes only on the front of its body, with hair color transitioning toward a light brown or tan along its rear and underbelly, until becoming white along its legs. This picture represents the only Quagga ever to have been photographed alive, taken at the London Zoo in 1870.
Its unique hide made the Quagga a target for hunters and poachers, and the last known wild Quagga was probably killed in the late 1870’s. The species went extinct on August 12th, 1883, when the last specimen died at a zoo in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Passenger Pigeon
The story of the Passenger Pigeon is one of the most tragic extinction stories in modern times. As recently as around 200 years ago they weren’t anywhere near extinction. In fact, they were actually the most common bird in North America, and some reports counted single flocks numbering in the billions.
During some migrations, the flocks flying overhead would stretch for over a mile and could take several hours to pass. It would have been impossible to imagine a North American skyline without them. Yet somehow the species went from being one of the most abundant birds in the world to extinction in only about 100 years. What happened?
Colonial hunters happened. The pigeon meat was commercialized and recognized as cheap food, especially for slaves and the poor, which led to a catastrophic hunting campaign on a massive scale. Furthermore, due to the large size of their flocks, the birds were seen as a threat to farmers. In fact, in 1703 the Catholic bishop of Quebec actually excommunicated the entire species.
The last known Passenger Pigeon, named “Martha”, died in captivity on September 1st, 1914, in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1896, the last flock of 250,000 birds were slaughtered by hunters despite the knowledge that it was the last flock of that size left.
Golden Toad
The first recorded account of the Golden Toad was by herpetologist Jay Savage in 1966, and the last sighting of the species was made in 1989. The toad, showcased by its brilliant golden orange colorization, was native to the tropical cloud forests which surround Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Their extinction symbolizes a large scale decline in amphibian numbers worldwide over the last several decades, which has likely been caused by global warming and climate change. In fact, famed Australian biologist Tim Flannery has described the extinction of the Golden Toad to be the first demise of a species due primarily to global warming.
Both species of gastric brooding frogs.
See article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric-brooding_Frog
And photo of frog with young in mouth, here: http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2006/publications/emerging/frogs/images/fig1.jpg
This is absolutly horrible we do this to other creatures of our own world yet it so majestic to see pics of animals I’ve never even heard of. Every creature on this planet is here for a reason and contributes in their own little way. Maybe now that the world is becoming more eco-sensative we can better control these situations and stop the maddness! I can only hope and FYI I this cloning to recreate extinct animals is a great idea..
How terribly sad to be reminded of all that we have lost; and how important it is to remind us that we must all redouble our efforts in our everyday lives to change the impact on our planet on the creatures with which we share it. Thank you.
Sad, really sad,this is even sometimes insane !
Absolutely shocking!! Goes to re-enforce the fact that us humans are so self absorbed, greedy and ignorant that we have never (until now hopefully) even considered the repercussions of our pursuit to make our lives “better” and more prosperous. We all now need to do our bit, however small, to prevent our grandchildren having to look up animals that we know and love in history books rather than having the opportunity to see them first hand.
I was not aware that the Bubal Hartebeest was extinct. I believe I have seen recent photos of the antelope, although perhaps it is a different type of subspecies. Thank you for this post. It’s quite heartbreaking.
Wow that Tazmanian Tiger looks coool!
RT
http://www.anonymity.us.tc
Notice how for every instinct animal, the sole reason of their extinction is caused by humankind. It a disgusting truth that all people should know. Imagine if an entire breed of humans were to be extinct
Its sad yes, but it happens. It happens b/c people believe that governments and regulations are the way to stop animals from going extinct. If you look at history you would learn that governments sanctioned most of the mass killings of animals. Buffalo, Tasmanian Tiger, Passenger Pigeon, Wolves, Bear, and so on. All the greenies hate hunters but why? Hunters love animals. The animals i hunt on my private property have food plots i planted, they have small made ponds to drink from i dug. Most hunters spend more time in the woods learning how to live with nature and to make sure next year there will be more deer, bear, turkey, hogs to hunt. How many of you have spent hours in the woods clearing land for fruit trees or plant pine trees or doing anything for wild life? Private property will save endanger animals not more government intervention. Its a old sayin my dad said to me “son leave it better than you found it” So stop bithin and go buy land and protect it. Put your money and time where your mouth is and don’t rely on the government to do the work for you. FreeTalkLive.com to learn about freedom and why government is not the way.
Furthermore, due to the large size of their flocks, the birds were seen as a threat to farmers. In fact, in 1703 the Catholic bishop of Quebec actually excommunicated the entire species.
Vintage stupidity at its best.