The last known Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, died in a zoo in 1936. The species was officially declared extinct 50 years later. But there are many people living in the Australian island state of Tasmania, and beyond, who believe the species still exists. The Thylacine Awareness Group has 3,000 members, some of whom say they have encountered the dog-like marsupial – not just in Tasmania but on the mainland, where they are said to have died out 2,000 years ago.

Their claims, including a fuzzy video now doing the rounds on YouTube, are not being taken seriously in the scientific community. If these creatures do exist, they certainly want to be left alone.

While there have been some victories in conservation – including the giant panda, which is now off the endangered list – the Earth is losing species daily. Those people who wish to do so should continue their search for the thylacine, but perhaps their energies would be better spent ensuring that other vulnerable animals and plants are preserved for generations to come.