Did Melbourne Zoo introduce Tasmanian tigers into the wilds of Mainland Australia? Part 3-2026.

Melbourne Zoo which was on the Committee of management at Wilsons promontory National Park early last century where a couple of dozen native species were released into the wilds of the state of Victoria on mainland Australia. Melbourne Zoo had access to Tasmanian tiger traders and a interest in Tasmanian tigers as they bred them in captivity and housed 48 thylacine over many decades. Dudley Le Souef the then director of Melbourne Zoo was on the committee of management board. He visited Tasmania searching for Tasmanian tigers to purchase .He was the then director of the Melbourne Zoo, (William Henry) Dudley Le Souef, responded with: "as we have none to spare and they are difficult to procure, I would suggest ... that I go to Tasmania tomorrow for about a fortnight and visit the various centres where these animals are found, and propose taking my magic lantern with me, so as to interest the people .1 visit in our Gardens and requirements and we should make a good profit ... I anticipate the total expenses will be under fifteen pounds". The RMZAS council agreed to this proposal. Rmzas was Melbourne Zoo in 1902.Le Souef travelled through the area where Tasmanian tigers and devils were found. He also advertised widely for the zoos involved. He also gave 2 public lectures in Launceston so that if 1 of the aforementioned species was caught, they will go to Melbourne or Antwerp. The director was eventually able to obtain the following: a pair of Tasmanian devils, 2 black opossums and most important of all: a Tasmanian tiger. This male Tasmanian tiger was caught in its lair (den) in the Tasmanian Avoca district, where Le Souef was staying on the estate of family friends, the Franks family. The station hands involved (for those who do not know what these are; it are people hired to help on a farm) were paid £7 for their effort. Le Souef returned to Melbourne with his captured animals on 24 December 1902 and wrote F. Krueger (who is therefore probably F. L'Hoëst) a letter on 1 January 1903 offering the requested animals, including "one Wolf (Tasmanian) . . . price twenty pounds". Among others, the marsupial wolf was sent to Antwerp that same month (January).Also Melbourne Zoo received many Tasmanian tigers from James Harrison a prolific Tasmanian tiger trader from northern Tasmania over a couple of decades. Harrison was also supplying other species into Wilsons promontory national park for release. Did he supply Thylacines?