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Lure of the Thylacine: True Stories and Legendary Tales of the Tasmanian Tiger
Covering a century and a half during which the thylacine’s status has changed from being a despised sheep killer to a magnificent survivor, these enthralling stories are for both the curious and the enthusiast.
Speculation by an ever-growing band of Tasmanian tiger devotees that the thylacine still exists has not wavered, despite the dogmatic stance by the scientific fraternity that the animal is extinct.
This collection of actual accounts and anecdotal yarns originated from discussions the author had with an old Tasmanian tiger trapper, Reg Trigg, who in the early days of the twentieth century established a mutual friendship with Lucy, a tiger he rescued from a trap.
Speculation by an ever-growing band of Tasmanian tiger devotees that the thylacine still exists has not wavered, despite the dogmatic stance by the scientific fraternity that the animal is extinct.
This collection of actual accounts and anecdotal yarns originated from discussions the author had with an old Tasmanian tiger trapper, Reg Trigg, who in the early days of the twentieth century established a mutual friendship with Lucy, a tiger he rescued from a trap.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 16, 2017
Proudly Tasmanian, I have been intrigued by Thylacines since I was a young child. Hearing my Grandfather telling stories of them from his hunting days only enhanced this fascination. Once I discovered internet and libraries, my interest in Thylacines expanded further – one of my favourite sources being Col Bailey’s original book “Tiger Tales”. Such was my fascination, I even found ways to incorporate Thylacines into my school work – winning creative writing competitions using Thylacines as inspiration!
I read Col’s “Shadow of the Thylacine” while living abroad and homesick for my beloved Tasmania. I loved it. I literally couldn’t put the book down and ended up educating any Canadian in my vicinity about these wonderful animals from my home state!
The first thing I noticed about “Lure of the Thylacine” was that it goes completely “chapter mad”; with 64 in total. All these short stories, make the book a quick read (I finished it in 2 days). The stories often struggle to flow together, lacking any chronological order or timeline. It reads like a series of blog posts, randomly thrown together for publication. That’s perhaps not far from the truth, as I believe it features many snippets from Col’s columns in the “Derwent Gazette”.
Due to the small community nature of Tasmania, I found some stories easily relatable – having been to one of the East Coast properties mentioned in the book. I was also lucky enough to experience the amazing Mystery of the Thylacine exhibition in 1998 which was the subject of Chapter 36.
Some of the stories are uneventful and dull – a Thylacine following someone in the bush for a bit? The authenticity is questionable with many stories – openly admitted by the author. On some occasions, stories contradict themselves, such as conflicting stories regarding animal behaviour.
Hans Naarding’s famous 1982 Thylacine sighting is briefly mentioned. The book would have benefited from expanding such exciting stories and eliminating other more pointless ones. There are too many sad and tragic stories involving horrific treatment and cruelty to animals – it’s tough to read. An unforgettable example of such a pointless, cruel story is the one depicting “Old Mick” callously massacring an entire family of Thylacines. Like “Old Mick”, these bushmen are far too often portrayed as heroic relics of a bygone era – when in reality, they were the very ones responsible for the tragic eradication of this beautiful animal.
Thankfully, the book isn’t all doom and gloom, such as the opening story featuring Reg Trigg and his beloved “pet” Thylacine, Lucy. Other stories like “West Papua Thylacines” feel like they could easily warrant a book of their own, such was the intrigue and mystery Col portrayed to the reader. Bailey’s immense passion and love for these animals is always evident – and it’s the strong point in all his work.
Other stories of interest in the book were the tragic Thylacine love story featuring a dog called Skipper, parallels of the Tasmanian Tiger to the also extinct Newfoundland Wolf, rare Thylacine attacks, the Western Australian Thylacine carcass, and other mainland Tiger sightings. The possibilities of Thylacines surviving in places besides Tasmania is a fascinating topic Col could have explored further.
The most recent date featured in the book is some 20 years ago (1997). I would love to have seen the book cover more recent sightings and investigations into the Thylacine’s continued existence. While interesting in parts, “Lure of the Thylacine” fails to capture the imagination and gripping intrigue that “Shadow of the Thylacine” has – I highly recommend that book instead.
I read Col’s “Shadow of the Thylacine” while living abroad and homesick for my beloved Tasmania. I loved it. I literally couldn’t put the book down and ended up educating any Canadian in my vicinity about these wonderful animals from my home state!
The first thing I noticed about “Lure of the Thylacine” was that it goes completely “chapter mad”; with 64 in total. All these short stories, make the book a quick read (I finished it in 2 days). The stories often struggle to flow together, lacking any chronological order or timeline. It reads like a series of blog posts, randomly thrown together for publication. That’s perhaps not far from the truth, as I believe it features many snippets from Col’s columns in the “Derwent Gazette”.
Due to the small community nature of Tasmania, I found some stories easily relatable – having been to one of the East Coast properties mentioned in the book. I was also lucky enough to experience the amazing Mystery of the Thylacine exhibition in 1998 which was the subject of Chapter 36.
Some of the stories are uneventful and dull – a Thylacine following someone in the bush for a bit? The authenticity is questionable with many stories – openly admitted by the author. On some occasions, stories contradict themselves, such as conflicting stories regarding animal behaviour.
Hans Naarding’s famous 1982 Thylacine sighting is briefly mentioned. The book would have benefited from expanding such exciting stories and eliminating other more pointless ones. There are too many sad and tragic stories involving horrific treatment and cruelty to animals – it’s tough to read. An unforgettable example of such a pointless, cruel story is the one depicting “Old Mick” callously massacring an entire family of Thylacines. Like “Old Mick”, these bushmen are far too often portrayed as heroic relics of a bygone era – when in reality, they were the very ones responsible for the tragic eradication of this beautiful animal.
Thankfully, the book isn’t all doom and gloom, such as the opening story featuring Reg Trigg and his beloved “pet” Thylacine, Lucy. Other stories like “West Papua Thylacines” feel like they could easily warrant a book of their own, such was the intrigue and mystery Col portrayed to the reader. Bailey’s immense passion and love for these animals is always evident – and it’s the strong point in all his work.
Other stories of interest in the book were the tragic Thylacine love story featuring a dog called Skipper, parallels of the Tasmanian Tiger to the also extinct Newfoundland Wolf, rare Thylacine attacks, the Western Australian Thylacine carcass, and other mainland Tiger sightings. The possibilities of Thylacines surviving in places besides Tasmania is a fascinating topic Col could have explored further.
The most recent date featured in the book is some 20 years ago (1997). I would love to have seen the book cover more recent sightings and investigations into the Thylacine’s continued existence. While interesting in parts, “Lure of the Thylacine” fails to capture the imagination and gripping intrigue that “Shadow of the Thylacine” has – I highly recommend that book instead.
May 3, 2016
Although I enjoyed many of these stories, I did feel like this book could have been organized and even written better in some places. My first example is thus; why isn't this separated into categories by year that they occurred? Often the story gives no year at all, and I have no idea what time period I was even reading. To me this lack of distinction made stories that should have felt authentic feel oddly out of place. It was the lack of details in the writing that I found frustrating. I know this is a grainy subject at best, but I wanted more I guess.
I was super excited to see a new Thylacine book, but disappointed in the detail. Three stars.
I was super excited to see a new Thylacine book, but disappointed in the detail. Three stars.
December 21, 2018
Read. Lure of the Thylacine, True Stories and Legendary Tales of the Tasmanian Tiger, Col Bailey, 2016, 292 pages.
This book is a great read. Col has interviewed Tasmanians who had contact with tigers and who have seen them since they were ‘declared extinct’.
The book describes that the English operated a scorched earth program in Tasmania by introducing sheep, dogs, and fences, and by trapping and snaring practically every native animal on the island. The devastation caused here by the English ‘settlers’ is terribly sad to read about.
Thylacines were blamed for killing sheep, and as a result, 'graziers' and the government organised for them to be hunted mercilessly. However, wild or feral dogs (brought here by the English of course) were the actual cause of most sheep deaths.
Another point of the book is to document sightings since the ‘last’ thylacine died in Hobart Zoo in 1936.
Thylacines are still sighted relatively often in Tasmania. Around Queenstown is prime thylacine country. There are also populations in Victoria and South Australia, that are probably descendants of thylacines taken there from Tasmania in the 1800s. A recently deceased thylacine was found in a cave in the Nullarbor! It is undisputed that there is a thylacine population in West Papua.
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 28: ‘A tiger tale to top them all’ (pp. 117-118):
‘Without doubt the most significant thylacine sighting of the modern era was that of Hans Naarding in 1982. Naarding, a National Parks and Wildlife officer and recognised ornithologist, had vast experience with both Australian and African wildlife over many years, so was well qualified to know a thylacine when he saw one.
The NWPS kept his report secret for more than two years, which speaks volumes for the seriousness with which it was regarded. This is his recollection of what happened:
'I had gone to sleep in the back of my vehicle, which was parked at a road junction in a remote forested area in the north-west of the state. It was raining heavily. at 2 a.m. I awoke and out of habit scanned the surrounds with a spotlight. As I swept the beam around it came to rest on a large thylacine standing side-on some six to seven metres distant.
'My camera bag was out of immediate reach so I decided to examine the animal carefully r risking movement. It was an adult male in excellent condition with 12 black stripes on a sandy coat. Eye reflection was pale yellow. It moved only once, opening its jaws and showing its teeth.
'After several minutes of observation I attempted o reach for my camera bag but in so doing I disturbed the animal and it moved away into the undergrowth. Leaving the vehicle and moving to where the animal had disappeared, I noted a strong scent. Despite an intensive search no further trace of the animal could be found.'
There was no mistaking his conclusion: 'I'm confident the thylacine exists because I saw it.'
This book is a great read. Col has interviewed Tasmanians who had contact with tigers and who have seen them since they were ‘declared extinct’.
The book describes that the English operated a scorched earth program in Tasmania by introducing sheep, dogs, and fences, and by trapping and snaring practically every native animal on the island. The devastation caused here by the English ‘settlers’ is terribly sad to read about.
Thylacines were blamed for killing sheep, and as a result, 'graziers' and the government organised for them to be hunted mercilessly. However, wild or feral dogs (brought here by the English of course) were the actual cause of most sheep deaths.
Another point of the book is to document sightings since the ‘last’ thylacine died in Hobart Zoo in 1936.
Thylacines are still sighted relatively often in Tasmania. Around Queenstown is prime thylacine country. There are also populations in Victoria and South Australia, that are probably descendants of thylacines taken there from Tasmania in the 1800s. A recently deceased thylacine was found in a cave in the Nullarbor! It is undisputed that there is a thylacine population in West Papua.
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 28: ‘A tiger tale to top them all’ (pp. 117-118):
‘Without doubt the most significant thylacine sighting of the modern era was that of Hans Naarding in 1982. Naarding, a National Parks and Wildlife officer and recognised ornithologist, had vast experience with both Australian and African wildlife over many years, so was well qualified to know a thylacine when he saw one.
The NWPS kept his report secret for more than two years, which speaks volumes for the seriousness with which it was regarded. This is his recollection of what happened:
'I had gone to sleep in the back of my vehicle, which was parked at a road junction in a remote forested area in the north-west of the state. It was raining heavily. at 2 a.m. I awoke and out of habit scanned the surrounds with a spotlight. As I swept the beam around it came to rest on a large thylacine standing side-on some six to seven metres distant.
'My camera bag was out of immediate reach so I decided to examine the animal carefully r risking movement. It was an adult male in excellent condition with 12 black stripes on a sandy coat. Eye reflection was pale yellow. It moved only once, opening its jaws and showing its teeth.
'After several minutes of observation I attempted o reach for my camera bag but in so doing I disturbed the animal and it moved away into the undergrowth. Leaving the vehicle and moving to where the animal had disappeared, I noted a strong scent. Despite an intensive search no further trace of the animal could be found.'
There was no mistaking his conclusion: 'I'm confident the thylacine exists because I saw it.'
December 13, 2019
This is a collection of anecdotes, yarns and (in some cases) tall stories about the Tasmanian tiger, collected by an enthusiast whose passion for the subject is infectious. Bailey has done us a great service in preserving the stories of some of the old trappers, prospectors and hermits whose memories of the last days when the thylacine roamed the Tasmanian landscape would otherwise be lost.
Many of them have the shape and style of the kind of yarns you hear old timers tell in Tasmanian pubs, which gives them a genuine charm, though doesn't always make them feel highly reliable. Some of them, however, like the 1982 sighting by National Parks researcher Hans Naarding, would make even the most sceptical into a believer in the tigers' survival. The old timers' stories give remarkable details - like the consistent references to the thylacine's distinctive strong smell or the fact that you could catch one by its rigid tail, lift its back legs off the ground and walk it around like a wheelbarrow. Some of the stories don't give dates or context, so it's hard to tell if these encounters occurred before or after the death of the last captive specimen in 1933.
Bailey's accounts make it clear that they survived in the wild until at least the 1950s and probably longer. Unconfirmed sightings continue, the latest recorded by the Tasmanian government as recent as February 2018. So while the logical side of me says that they are most likely extinct, the fact that Bailey's book refers to sightings in or near places I know well - Maydena, the Walls of Jerusalem, Arthur River, Loongana - I still keep one eye open when out in the bush in Tasmania, just in case ...
Many of them have the shape and style of the kind of yarns you hear old timers tell in Tasmanian pubs, which gives them a genuine charm, though doesn't always make them feel highly reliable. Some of them, however, like the 1982 sighting by National Parks researcher Hans Naarding, would make even the most sceptical into a believer in the tigers' survival. The old timers' stories give remarkable details - like the consistent references to the thylacine's distinctive strong smell or the fact that you could catch one by its rigid tail, lift its back legs off the ground and walk it around like a wheelbarrow. Some of the stories don't give dates or context, so it's hard to tell if these encounters occurred before or after the death of the last captive specimen in 1933.
Bailey's accounts make it clear that they survived in the wild until at least the 1950s and probably longer. Unconfirmed sightings continue, the latest recorded by the Tasmanian government as recent as February 2018. So while the logical side of me says that they are most likely extinct, the fact that Bailey's book refers to sightings in or near places I know well - Maydena, the Walls of Jerusalem, Arthur River, Loongana - I still keep one eye open when out in the bush in Tasmania, just in case ...
May 4, 2022
I bought this book in Melbourne, at the Australian equivalent of Budget books, and totally forgot about it for over two years. Well, it came handy when recently I had some tedious lab work well into the night with lots of free time slots when the samples were incubating and so on. On the other hand, some passages were a cliffhanger and a spiced a bit with horror, so don't reccommend to read when the whole faculty building is virtually deserted and you have to work in a claustrophobic room two floors below ground level.
I enjoyed it, even though sometimes it was a bit chaotic. Benjamin from the Hobart zoo is quite famous, even in the Central Europe where marsupials are just a honourable mention at lectures of mammaliology. I am quite fascinated with the evolution of fauna on Gondwana, and yet I ended straight at the ichthyology department - which doesn't mean we don't care about other animals! Although I can't say that I believe the thylacine being totally extinct, it is my zoologist's nature to take the recent encounters with this creature once deemed a pest with a dose of reservation. Because there are so many sad stories of human-induced extinction and later possible sighthings of gorgeous fauna that regretably lack any hard evidence. Yeah, we are totally waiting for the roadkill or carcass of any sort to confirm the "near extinct" status of the Tasmanian tiger, dear author.
I enjoyed it, even though sometimes it was a bit chaotic. Benjamin from the Hobart zoo is quite famous, even in the Central Europe where marsupials are just a honourable mention at lectures of mammaliology. I am quite fascinated with the evolution of fauna on Gondwana, and yet I ended straight at the ichthyology department - which doesn't mean we don't care about other animals! Although I can't say that I believe the thylacine being totally extinct, it is my zoologist's nature to take the recent encounters with this creature once deemed a pest with a dose of reservation. Because there are so many sad stories of human-induced extinction and later possible sighthings of gorgeous fauna that regretably lack any hard evidence. Yeah, we are totally waiting for the roadkill or carcass of any sort to confirm the "near extinct" status of the Tasmanian tiger, dear author.
September 24, 2024
Disorganized, winding, and boring. I found myself frustrated and consistently annoyed. The most infuriating part is the sheer lack of disorganization and chapter happy format-- all the chapters are short, but there's 67! They aren't sorted chronologically for some reason. The misinformation in many is another point of negativity for me.
I appreciate the archive of these anecdotes and tales that would've been otherwise lost and I did find myself interested in a few, but overall, I just couldn't enjoy it to it's full extent. It's sad and graphic, which doesn't dock any points for me, but it definitely left me emotional at times.
I can't recommend the book in its entirety to anyone, only a select few stories.
I appreciate the archive of these anecdotes and tales that would've been otherwise lost and I did find myself interested in a few, but overall, I just couldn't enjoy it to it's full extent. It's sad and graphic, which doesn't dock any points for me, but it definitely left me emotional at times.
I can't recommend the book in its entirety to anyone, only a select few stories.
February 23, 2020
I loved the book I love all your book I also believe that the thylacine is still alive I have even seen one briefly before it ran away I heard a high yip and I heard rusting and saw the stripes. You are amazing never doubt yourself, for what it’s worth I think you are right.👍👍👍👍👍😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
You are an amazing person.
You are an amazing person.
January 17, 2018
I found out the author has written two other books on the thylacine. Based on this book, I won't bother getting them. Or is it that the author is scraping the bottom of the barrel to fill this third book?
December 26, 2017
Enjoyed reading about the Tasmanian Tiger. Book would of benefited on a better layout for stories and sightings.
January 5, 2017
Enjoyed this one especially the illustrations. I have also read Col Bailey's previous book about the thylacine.
As a Tasmanian of convict stock, I also found it depressing as many animals were shot for no reason at all. Finding the den and shooting the pups/cubs was not necessary. I am sure they were other Tasmanians who understood that killing indiscriminately was unwise and wrong.
Whilst my family were hunters, their attitude was different and animals were not slaughtered for fun or profit. A large family who used fishing and hunting to survive the Depression but understood the implications of killing the young and the sense in only taking what you needed to survive.
Interesting that one of the major East Coast landowners wanted both the native Tasmanians and the Tigers obliterated. One wonders what he would have campaigned against next.
I would like to think tigers are still out there. I hope to catch a glimpse one day. Family members spent much time in the bush and at secluded fishing holes and told of strange noises and terrified dogs.
I agree with the other reviewers regarding the organisation of the chapters and the lack of dates on the stories.
As a Tasmanian of convict stock, I also found it depressing as many animals were shot for no reason at all. Finding the den and shooting the pups/cubs was not necessary. I am sure they were other Tasmanians who understood that killing indiscriminately was unwise and wrong.
Whilst my family were hunters, their attitude was different and animals were not slaughtered for fun or profit. A large family who used fishing and hunting to survive the Depression but understood the implications of killing the young and the sense in only taking what you needed to survive.
Interesting that one of the major East Coast landowners wanted both the native Tasmanians and the Tigers obliterated. One wonders what he would have campaigned against next.
I would like to think tigers are still out there. I hope to catch a glimpse one day. Family members spent much time in the bush and at secluded fishing holes and told of strange noises and terrified dogs.
I agree with the other reviewers regarding the organisation of the chapters and the lack of dates on the stories.
July 6, 2016
"The Tasmanian tiger is Australia’s iconic extinct species. Like the dodo, they were ruthlessly and deliberately hunted to oblivion by humans. Or were they? Col Bailey, like many others, believes that a few might yet survive in isolated pockets of wilderness and has compiled stories of sightings, huntings, captures and near misses. Some are fragmentary or implausible, others detailed and compelling. Many are polished smooth from repeated telling, bearing the hallmarks of folklore and legend. All of them detail the last troubled days of our contact with this striking creature, a relationship that we are unwilling to relinquish. Bailey leaves readers to draw their own conclusions about the thylacine’s survival, for all he is firmly persuaded by the evidence he presents. I do hope he is right." http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifesty...
May 19, 2016
Depressing. But I didn't like the layout of the book. It would have been much better if presented in chronological order so you didn't have trouble trying to guess the timeframe of each chapter as they often jump decades and centuries.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews