Much of what has been written about the demise of the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) in Tasmania is mythology, including the idea that the animal was persecuted to the point of extinction. Many tigers were killed unwittingly, in snares set for other animals, or opportunistically. Bounty schemes probably had no impact on the animal’s demise. This talk discusses these issues and looks at various roles played by those who interacted with the tiger. 

The best records of tiger destruction are the payments for the government thylacine bounty 1888 to 1909 and the files of the Van Diemen’s Land Company (VDL Co) at Woolnorth. While there was no such thing as a tiger hunter, as part of their duties as hunter/stockmen the so-called Woolnorth ‘tigermen’ kept a line of neck snares across Green Point near modern-day Marrawah to kill tigers trying to enter Woolnorth.  

When living thylacines became very scarce and therefore very valuable, two bush farmer/hunters, Robert Stevenson and Joseph Clifford, realised that they could ‘farm’ the tigers on their property as well as their sheep. By catching tigers alive instead of dead in neck snares, they were able to sell them to zoos at a profit.  

Several Tasmanians traded in live tigers, acting as an agent between the hunter and the zookeeper. The most prominent of these were Mary Roberts, at Beaumaris in Battery Point, and James Harrison of Wynyard. While Roberts maintained a small zoo collection of her own, Harrison’s marsupial menagerie was only a holding bay for animals he was trying to sell. Harrison was also a snarer, and on at least one occasion he captured a live tiger himself. Mystery surrounds his final interactions with tigers. 

Nic Haygarth is an historian whose books include Baron Bischoff: Philosopher Smith and the birth of Tasmanian mining (2004), The wild ride: revolutions that shaped Tasmanian black and white wilderness photography (2008), Mountain men: stories from the Tasmanian high country (with Simon Cubit, 2015), On the ossie: Tasmanian osmiridium and the fountain pen industry (2017) and Bush lives: tales from the Tasmanian backblocks (2024). 

FAQ – Burnie

Will I need to print my ticket?
No, a physical ticket is not required if you have your ticket on your phone or have photo ID.

Where can I park?
There is metered parking outside the entrance of the library on Alexander Street. Varying Times -Easy Park App available
King Street carpark has early bird parking rates before 10am. Varying Times – Easy Park App availableCivic Centre Carpark – Varying Times – Easy Park App available

Are there disabled parking spots?
There are 2 signposted disabled spots directly in front of the library. You will need to display your permit to park here.

Is the library accessible for wheelchairs?
There is a wheelchair ramp at the front entrance to the Burnie Library and an elevator located inside the library at the back of the building.

Are there toilets in the library?
There are public toilets on the ground floor of the library with both public and private cubicles.