Australia’s Own Tiger King: The Obsessive Hunt for Australia’s Lost Marsupial Beast

Tassie tigers, otherwise known as thylacines, were thought to have become extinct after the last known specimen “Benjamin” died in a Hobart zoo in 1936. But new evidence and a growing civilian movement are challenging that belief, with the Thylacine Awareness Group of Australia (TAGOA) boasting 10,000 members Australia-wide.
In this episode of Australiana, we embed with its president, Neil Waters, a retired gardener who commits his life savings to an epic two year search for the ancient marsupial. As Neil edges closer to a tantalising ‘re-discovery’, the search brings him hope and meaning, but we also learn the price of this obsession.
Click here to SUBSCRIBE to VICE Asia: bit.ly/2LhqAR9
Connect with VICE Asia:
Check out our full video catalog: bit.ly/2P3Y0pv
Videos, daily editorial and more: vice.com/en_asia
More videos from the VICE network: viceasi...
Like VICE Asia on Facebook: viceasia
Follow VICE Asia on Twitter: / viceasia
Follow us on Instagram: / viceasia

[@victoriabreeuwsma9099]

Comparing this guy to the tiger king is far fetched, he seems like a nice guy doing field research with passion. Not a man who harms animals and shoots tigers in the head. Good video though! It’s amazing people are still doing work like this and trying to rediscover lost animals, because we all know many animals considered extinct year by year are proving to just be critically endangered. Thanks for the awesome vid!

[@potentpudz9311]

To true mate

[@meganconroy6041]

Tbh, this guy isn't making a profit or keeping them in cages he's like the opposite of Joe exotic

[@DarthQueefious]

"he seems like a nice guy doing field research with passion" He isn't, he's quite the culty dickhead

[@pranc236]

Agree, spotting animals in the wild is not the same thing at all. I went to joe exotics park in 2015. Its was worse than what u saw on tv! We did get to play with a baby tiger and not many ppl get that chance.

[@lliamlee5702]

@@DarthQueefious cultish/obsessive I can agree with, but how is he a dickhead? As well I don’t think he isn’t doing anything wrong.

[@neilwaters7543]

To all the team at Walking Fish productions, great work. The folks at VICE, thank you for giving our beloved Thylacine the attention it deserves. To all the members of TAGOA, thanks for coming along on the journey of a lifetime. To all the haters, eat my shorts. And, to Andrew Orchard, thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Well done Australia, we got some bloody spirit haven't we......

[@cameronniven4656]

You're a legend

[@chameleontrapper]

Never give give up on the dream of finding that striped devil. Dreams are all we got... Good luck to you m8

[@philsophkenny]

Thanks for Sharing your story Neil, I admire your dedication and your passion. I sincerely hope you are successful. All the best from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@michaelm1861]

Hi Neil! I loved the piece VICE did on you and your work. God bless you buddy for all you do and all you have sacrificed. Keep up the great work!

[@jaded9087]

Photos of his kelpie would look more convicing than this photo of the "tazzie tiger". Vice , why release this this week concidering this " sighting" has been a laughing point globally since, what, march? Honestly, he should head to PNG if he is seriouse. There has been more sightings by more than one tribes men at a single sighting in recent years and there has been mutibale sighting ,even reported kills. This pic could have been anything . Very ambiguous. This just was a waste if my time and yours VICE.

[@kellyanderson5609]

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my daughter May 26, 2019. She was hit head on by a drunk driver. She was 20. My only child. Grief is very personal. Everyday I wake up and think about her. Every night, she’s on my mind. She is the love of my life. I want you to know, what you’re doing is fabulous. Anything to keep you going. Prayers. Religious or not, I honestly believe God brought me to your channel. It’s a great adventure you’re working on and I believe the “tiger” is still out there. Thank you for what you do. ❤️🙏

[@neilwaters7543]

Life goes on and as long as we are still here, we still have stuff to do...

[@Hm-dh1vu]

That's you in pfp?

[@bustinnutsinslutsbutts]

hugs to you mam....

[@sweetdrahthaar7951]

I really feel for you guys. I have a daughter that lives in Seattle. You know..the city full of whack jobs that want to defund or even do away with law-enforcement. I worry about her on a daily basis. I’m very sorry for your loss.

[@terintiaflavius3349]

So very sorry for your loss

[@vincp5490]

Him singing with his dog in the car was just precious!

[@jkdunk20001988]

That shit would drive me fuckin insane

[@Heavilymoderated]

Made my day

[@LuckyBadger]

Adorable! So wholesome.

[@Sergiovsousa]

Dude has a nice voice, I think he plays in a covers band, and watching them live in a pub must be awesome.

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

@@Sergiovsousa I played keyboards/piano for a CD he did in 1997. I hope he finds the Tiger!

[@flanthief]

As a child I obsessed over the tiger. To think they could have that small chance of being alive is thrilling and its amazing to see others who love the creatures

[@brianisme6498]

I think it’s exciting to think about but highly unlikely. It’s been nearly a century and we have still yet to see a scientifically confirmed sighting.

[@PoeLemic]

@@brianisme6498 I hope you are wrong, but I am starting to believe that you might just be right. But, it's not something that I want to be true.

[@brianisme6498]

@@PoeLemic if we haven’t found a proper scientific sighting then they’re likely not around anymore. Tasmania isn’t the Amazon, Congo or deep sea. Most of it has been explored and touched by man. Unlike the Amazon or Congo or Amazon, Tasmania isn’t shrouded by thick bush that is difficult to traverse, it’s forests are relatively open making travel easier then Amazon or Congo. We’ve documented Tasmania several thousand times over since their extinction and have yet to into one.

[@chrisblester37]

A lot of very Honest people say they have seen them and other extinct animals around the world, and I don't think alot of these people are lying, they did see what they saw Iv seen the big cats but maybe it's a time worp thing maybe not but maybe because we're do they go why do we never find bodies. I saw what I saw but just maybe it's something else we don't understand, because I don't think all these people are lying, I know I'm not .???

[@pkae85]

@@chrisblester37 whered you see the cat? My mate seen one near appin

[@smittywerbenjaegermanjense2350]

Seems like a good dude, obviously still grieving his daughters death. Hope he finds proof that Thylacine still lives on day. If could very well be possible.

[@benburnett2706]

Spot on bru

[@Ricardo-jk3et]

He's a fool.

[@lynnleigha580]

Wow, he 100% just described me, lost in grief, since I lost my sister in May of 2017

[@curiodyssey3867]

Hang in there. I know this probably means nothing to you coming from a stranger but stay strong, for her. She wants you to be happy.

[@chrisblester37]

I lost a cousin that I was very close with one one my best friends ever and family we were like brothers but maybe closer because we chose to hang out his death shock me to the core and my life changed from that point its never been the same and not for the better . I have to revise he would have wanted good things for me and not left his death destroy my life ,and be able to move on but never forget just be wiser

[@kyleculp7520]

Its a thing you dont want people to understand. But I agree. Lost my son in 2016 and being lost in the grief is the perfect way to describe it.

[@murrayflewelling1258]

Yup , most people on here get it, and the few that call him a dickhead or a fraud...I feel sorry for them....Imagine being born that dumb!

[@benmcreynolds8581]

I am so grateful that people like this exist! I am cheering you on with your discoveries! Since I was a child I fell in love with this Creature. Recently I found the last Tiger was also named Benjamin. I'm sending so much love for this man and want him to know he's an amazing individual. His daughter would be so proud to see how therapeutic he's handling his life. Nothing is better for the soul then exploring and hiking through the wilderness with your dog, just keeping your soul alive and observing Nature as a sort of guide. I walk with my dogs in the woods here in Oregon. It's always been a dream to even see the wilderness of Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, New Guinea. I could only imagine how amazing it would be to explore there in person. Just enjoy your time exploring no matter what! You're doing the right thing and a very healthy thing ❤️👍 cheers

[@neilwaters7543]

Cheers Ben, Jess is a great companion...and a great singer too...

[@foxu7380]

I love this. I remember when I was 8, my mom unfortunately had to be the one to tell me that Thylacines were extinct, after I told her I wanted to meet one so bad. I was heartbroken, because these creatures are so beautiful and extraordinary. Seeing those photos, for me personally, I think it's proof enough that they're still out there, hiding for their own safety away from the true monsters, the true predators aka us. And honestly, let people think however they think about them, because at least the Thylacine will have the peace they never got from us. Really do respect you Neil, thank you for this, and thank you for standing up.

[@primesspct2]

it certainly opens up the possibility... I hope and pray it is a tiger! ( looks like it certainly could be) Like mulder I want to believe!

[@chopgta5940]

Tasmanian Tigers r cool and cute little things 😍😍

[@quietdominator666]

I have a feeling that old mate would see a tassie tiger in the wild with his camera and just stare at it, reminding him of his daughter.. no photo taken.

[@curiodyssey3867]

Oof u gave me chills stop it

[@benroper7290]

Just wanting to stay in that moment. Why ruin it.

[@kyletitley5240]

Deep

[@Sunshiine...]

Professional, beautiful and sensitive filming highlighting both human and thylacine stories. The connection between these elusive marsupials and the humans who celebrate them is both an enigma and a testimony to the spirit of both. And inspiration for us all to follow our passions and our dreams and never give up. Congratulations to all concerned, this is a powerful piece of the ongoing story which will, I have no doubt, one day reach the conclusion of the undisputed existence of this remarkable creature. (Not that some of us have any doubt about that!) Most of all, to Neil, thank you for all you do, taking this story, this mystery and making it accessible to so many (not just those of us who are believers), and allowing the conversations to continue. You are an absolute champion because you know and you believe and you walk your talk. If only there were more like you out there.

[@neilwaters7543]

You Ms Slee, and your family's legacy have been a huge part of that inspiration I draw on for keeping this wonky wagon on the road. Your Dad would be smiling at us all no doubt from his prime viewing arena. The fact that Walking Fish did such an honourable and fair representation of the Thylacine's ongoing persecution and plight is testimony to their professional approach to this story and restores my faith not only in their generation of youth and exuberance, but the media as a whole. There is much to be done on this Earthly plane and if we all pulled our finger out and stood up for what we believed, I would be just another face in the crowd. As I am, I will keep the flame alive, as long as I have enough fuel left in the tank for the fire...

[@AlwaysAskQuestion]

This felt like watching those Bigfoot docs that never explain anything and never shows any footage of the creature

[@Redbird1504]

I think we know what is going on in this situation but everyone grieves differently and this is healthier than how many would handle it. Sorry for your loss.

[@jamesdoesitmatter]

But if this is how he wants to spend his days. He is harming No one, and May one day find a Tasmanian Treasure. Know that many worldwide would feel great joy in a discovery.

[@theganleychannel8548]

Thought I was the only one to notice went from interesting to sad real quick

[@jamesdoesitmatter]

@@theganleychannel8548 I agree. This man is grieving, and has forgotten social cfort and happiness. But if this is how he finds relief from it. I can't fault him. Some pick up a bottle, or pills, or other items to numb the pain. He produce content and goes out and brings others the photos and evidence he has found, hoping one day he will bring a possibly extinct animal back to the world for all to see. I wish him, and You the best of luck in your endeavors of life. Hope you and everyone else hae an awesome day, week, and years to come. 😁

[@SpedBull]

Damn

[@murrayflewelling1258]

It is amazing how many shitty people have posted things like he is a fraud or a dickhead....I would need to suffer a stroke to be that dumb , to not realize when someone has buried themselves in any cause, after having a child burned up ....killed suddenly etc.....He is showing classic characteristics of what many parents go threw, the dickheads are the ones too dumb to get it !

[@clegsmegson2627]

The cough-bark sound is precisely what I do to people standing at the bar to get them away from me.

[@LuckyBadger]

The black and white film of Benjamin makes me so sad. I hate to see animals stressed out, pacing in a small cage, too thin, obviously miserable. Poor thing breaks my heart.

[@deleoninurwalls]

He seems like a super loving and charismatic person I can tell the death of his daughter changed him but he doesn’t stop he keeps pushing I love that I better hear his name on the news!

[@coronavirusisacommunistchi845]

He wants to bring the Thylacine from the dead just like he wants his daughter back from the dead.

[@neilwaters7543]

Hannity Peck is that Peck short for Peckerhead..?

[@PoeLemic]

@@coronavirusisacommunistchi845 That's not the case of him trying to bring his daughter back. How dense and ignorant are you? Some of us have a life where we grieve family members, friends, pets, things, etc., that we've lost. I know how he feels, because I lost a parent. And, it is something that stays with you and is with you every day of your life. So, if he wants to do that with his spare time or whatever time he has, then let people (like Mr. Waters) live his life his way. And, if you don't have someone you lost that really matters to you, then I am sad that you have not connected as closely to someone as Mr. Waters (or I have also -- with my father) with his daughter. It's good that he has a mission each day to keep him motivated and to keep him guided for his Journey in life. Also, when it is really someone special and close to you, it is very common and understandable that the person is grieved for a very long time and, possibly, forever or as long as he lives. And, for myself, I'll miss and grieve my father's passing until I am no longer here. That's how good my father was to me and how thankful I am that I knew him and loved him so well.

[@PoeLemic]

@@neilwaters7543 Sorry for what Mr. Peck (or "Peckerhead" as you say). Don't listen to him. I too grieve (as I said above this comment) for my father, so I am sorry for the loss of your daughter. She really meant a lot to you, as did my Dad, and I can understand and think it is wonderful to grieve her and to think of her every single day -- as I do my Dad. To me, this type of Loss was never understood in my human terms, but it's taught me so much more about life, death, and our time here. To what I've learned, I've learned more how to live fully and to appreciate more of the time that we have with people, but I do not understand death ... And, I even think that I am very ignorant and even less knowledgeable about it -- even more so, than I was before my Loss. So, live your life how you choose, Mr. Waters, because what you are doing has great importance to the Thylacine species and to scientific community. You are going to prove something that has been doubted for far too long. I believe in you. Thanks for taking part in this video to educate the rest of us about how people are trying to find the Thylacine and get them protected.

[@neilwaters7543]

@@PoeLemic thanks for your words. My daughter Sharna was the very 1st inspiration to go on that I had as she was only 10 when her sister passed and only knew her for 9 months due to extenuating circumstances. We now have an excellent rapport and she considers me her bestie and we have no secrets from each other. For me, many many great things have come from the tragic loss of her sisters life, but my relationship with Sharna is the best of them all.

[@neilwaters7543]

For the record folks. There was a total of 5 photos back in January that I showed Nick Mooney at the Hobart Museum. Here is the link to our clip we produced back then with all 5 shots in it. Let the record show that Nick is a Raptor specialist and a Biologist, and like me, he is not a Thylacine expert. When Nick did his report, he chose to only report on 2 of the photos and not all 5 of them. If you have ever seen a Pademelon, (Rufus Wallaby), you would know that they have fat bums and they hop like all Wallabies. When they go down on all 4's, their head leans down and their bum goes high in the air and their tail does not go out dead straight unlike the Thylacine Joey in our photo, which has a dead straight level spine with its head still up. Several Veterinarians and Canine and Feline Experts with the combined experience of over 100 years in their professions all stated that our Joey was NOT a Pademelon, was a marsupial and was 4 legged and not a Macropod ( Kangaroo species ). This leaves either a Tasmanian Devil, Predominantly black with the odd white patch, or a Quoll which is spotted. It is not a cat because they do not have smooth rear feet. This Thylacine Joey is proof of breeding.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn6ofHqCn9-deKc

[@j.a.martinez4001]

@neilwaters Amazing work! Like to see them go out and do what you do. I’ll be checking out the other pictures now. Great job 👏 much respect here in the states 🇺🇸 TX - Dallas.

[@paulheywood2116]

Definitely a tiger Neil your bang onto it and that family group will be seen again no doubt awesome work as always Neil tip my hat to you

[@bobbyd4400]

Awsome photo we know they still exists science always has a closed mind

[@scothammond4623]

You got me interested and I will be following this from now on. Keep up the good work

[@lealta1481]

I hope you can get better pictures

[@alphauniformsierraaustrali5302]

I've met a few locals who claim they have seen one, Tasmania is mostly bush so I wouldn't doubt they are still around. Finding them is the hard part, so much of this state/island is untouched by humans and hard to access. It's likely they're hard to find with our limited resources

[@johnussss]

Hope so, but they were already in decline, they were on the mainland and PNG 5k yrs ago, and we introduced dogs, wild dog populations are now found in Tassy's wildernesses and the dingo is blamed for the mainland extinction.

[@jameslopez5652]

I imagine they also den quite deep and stay underground having learned to avoid humans over time seeing what happened to the others. Wouldn't doubt there are dozens at least, if not hundreds.

[@johnmead8437]

@@johnussss Wild dogs in other countries have rapidly caused extinctions, in NZ they were so effective they starved themselves before invasive pest mammals were established. They got stuck into the sheep, but were then ruthlessly hunted, and/or then stoats, cats etc killed enough to starve them. Mammals didn't exist originally.,. That's one theory, & historic information supports some of it. A few wild dog pockets temporarily exist, usually shot out. Tasmania has both marsupial predators and other species adapted to them, and thus probably can support a wild dog population, like the mainland

[@CommonCentrist82]

This is one "extinct" animal that I do believe could still exist.

[@adamcooper1898]

Same Steve.

[@venom286__worldoftanks3]

its not impossible

[@lionelmills1259]

Agree

[@cardamundo295]

@Lord Z Roger Tasmania is covered in bush and mostly untouched, are you sure?

[@cardamundo295]

@Lord Z Roger Because of evolution? If the ones that are brave got killed then the ones that are cowardly/likely to hide would survive and reproduce? Something like 90% of the Amazon hasn't been properly mapped, not because of lack of technology but because of ridiculous costs and no funding, same thing in this case. And if they are hidden, which if they're still alive is definitely the case then they wouldn't show so easily from techniques like heat mapping/lidar? Am I wrong?

[@waterlover]

I would so wish it was true that a beautiful family of these creatures would be roaming around in the wild still

[@marianneamy]

@Neil Waters Well done! Thanks for sharing & keeping the hope alive. I think its so great that you are dealing with your grief in this positive way. I also think it probably fuels the fire that keeps you going too. As you know, there are 10's of thousands of us that also share this passion (or obsession) with 'Ol Stripey and I'm extremely grateful that you have kept the thylacine in the spotlight and have not only brought awareness to this most shameful act in Australian history but also some awareness of the Tasmanian Aboriginals who suffered the same slaughter. What better way to bring the awareness by proving the elusive thyla still roams. P.S: A stellar performance from Jess & her singing! Applause Applause 👏🐕

[@neilwaters7543]

Cheers Marianne, you and Michelle have got an email from me yesterday...x

[@mikehawk4388]

It broke my heart to see the full set of photos were more ambiguous than I thought. Partially because I want the thylacine to still be around of course, but mostly because this poor dude works so hard, but got ridiculed for the pix. I'm not gonna patronize Neil by saying something like "I'm glad that this is the proof HE needed even if nobody else agrees," but I do want him to know that his efforts are treasured by so many of us. Alive or dead, he's the kinda bloke all endangered species deserve on their side.

[@mikehawk4388]

((Also, seeing that adorable tiger his daughter drew for him made me tear up, not gonna lie))

[@NoNameneeded1984]

I saw a very strange animal years ago near Lennox Head NSW at about 3am.. I caught it in my driving lights as it crossed the road. I thought it was a dog but it had strange short legs and was moving like a trotting horse. It had clear stripes and the tail was sticking straight out and was quite long. It stopped in the middle of the road dazzled by my lights , then took off. Never mentioned it for years as I thought people would think I'm crazy until the local ABC had a show on thylacines. Found out that there had been many sitiengs in that area! Who knows...

[@husseinhassan760]

I have no idee about this Animal but in my Country we have simlar Animal no one see at day he is Killer even can kill 20 30 goat on time and he eats 1 or 2 is called weercalan

[@alanbrown4703]

Probably a sausage dog wearing a striped jumper by the sound of it, they have quite long tails!!

[@_Somsnosa_]

Makes me think of the African Okapi, they're hind quarters and legs have zebra stripes while the rest is brown

[@SteveSmith-zz4ih]

There are bound to people out there that have seen "something" and haven't said a word to protect that special "something" remember that film starring Daniel Defoe - it would be close to the mark if it became true. Now don't get me started on strange lights in the night - especially ones that hover above cars without any sound, before drones were invented.

[@Ryan-pg7uo]

This seems like a great man with a great heart doing something hes passionate about. Good luck Neil.

[@ballconei]

He's a really horrible bit of work...look in to his personal behaviour with people...real twat

[@PageG111]

The sing along in the car with pup was gold

[@wopda1693]

“So it was just the usual “aaaaaarrrghh. Aaaargh” I lost it 😂😂😂😂

[@endlebendle]

Anyone else really wanna give this man a hug?

[@neilwaters7543]

Hugs are good, despite the 1.5m BS from our Grubberment....

[@PoeLemic]

Incredible documentary. I sure hope that Mr. Waters finds proof that will be accepted. To me, what he photographed does look like a smaller Thylacine, because I do see the stripes and long tail. It took me a while of studying the photo, but it does appear to have the characteristics of what a smaller Thylacine would look like.

[@robertscheinost179]

Sorry, not to knock the guy, but I couldn't make anything out. Is there Tigers in Tasmania? I believe so but this isn't close to a "smoking gun".Still, Neil Waters is searching and he may be the person to find one. Give him credit for trying.

[@benroper7290]

So cute his dog singing with him. 😄

[@erikiacopelli451]

When it comes to the TT I can watch every doc on them 50 times over. I REALLY hope it's still alive as I would give anything to see a live one

[@WTINP]

Who caught the Caesar dressing just nestling in amongst the turd samples?

[@neilwaters7543]

Hahaha

[@Redbird1504]

That's where Caesars dressing belongs. #ItalianDressingGang

[@famousbowl9926]

That says Coleslaw.. you need glasses. Or up your picture quality.

[@curiodyssey3867]

First thing I noticed

[@Xenite_51]

I want so bad for them to still be around. I’ve been obsessed with them since I was a kid.

[@apurplecrayon9397]

okay but it is a CRIME they took so long to show us the photos in this video

[@mfatcat1978]

I take my hat of to this true Aussie....good on ya mate

[@davidca96]

I really wish the tiger was still around, its completely humans fault and was so recent it really angers me. I personally feel like we would have some concrete proof by now if they still existed but theres always a chance. It seems sadly unlikely though due to the type of animal it is/was, we should have found remains of dead ones but we just dont so far.

[@maxfish4770]

No actual proof and the fact Tasmania uses 1080 to poison feral dogs, sadly makes it highly unlikely.

[@kevinnugent9280]

@@maxfish4770 u

[@fakrulhakimi8927]

Neil's story, from being called a clown (15:40) to " ...can I ask where in Tasmania you live? ". (19:39) I'm crying...

[@Tunabreath2001]

"Honey, where's the ranch??" "It's in the freezer, right under the Thylacine scat!"

[@stover14]

This is the sort of stuff we want you to go back to VICE. Nice!

[@sweetdrahthaar7951]

Very touching the elderly gal signed a piece of art for you. I applaud your efforts and have been hopeful the Thylacine is not extinct for over 50 years. I wish you the very best sir👍🏻 I am in Idaho USA and I’m hoping you’ll keep us posted on your work.

[@neilwaters6890]

Thanks. There is a video or 2 on our youtube channel with Kath. She is a national living treasure and now 96 years young and still sharp as an axe and full of mischief. It was amazing to track her down 6 years ago and get to know her on a personal level.

[@TheRockrm]

One of the most amazing animals to ever grace the face of the earth

[@Jamesssssssssssssss]

I admire him for not letting grief consume him.

[@samuelbailey1888]

I was living in Bali for 7 yrs. & asked some Irian Jaya teachers who were staying with us for a conference. I showed them a photo of a Thylacine & asked them if they had seen this animal. (People from the Tasmanian Uni. said they were looking for them in PNG.) -They said yes, they are Strip Angings. (Striped Dogs) - They said, Villagers killed 2 of the pups, because they were eating their chickens. I know where to find them!. (You need to take waterproof cameras, as mould & the tap waters there, even damage underwater cameras, if you wash them in it) - Greetings from Bruny Is. Tasmania.

[@ZoofSkillzFishing]

With no disrespect to Mr. Neil Walter's, I believe that the search for the Thyalacine was a therapeutic form of trauma counseling. He couldn't bring his daughter back from the dead, but he could do his utmost best to bring the Thyalacine back from the dead...

[@famousbowl9926]

Your right

[@neilwaters6890]

For the record. My daughter died in 2009. I had my 1st sighting in 2010. I went back to SA to live in 2012. 2nd sighting in 2014. Started TAGOA 11 months later. Didn't move back to Tasmania til 2019. Worked for 7 years in SA before taking a redundancy from my employer to keep me financially independent whilst trying to prove the Thylacine still exists in Tasmania. Believe me when I say I would rather prove the mainland Thylacine any day over proving it in Tasmania. Julia's death was by no means the catalyst for my search in Tassie. It is just another thread in the tapestry of my life.

[@davida.4933]

Some people are just curious about animals, others aren't...

[@bajaboy27]

I was a bit skeptical of the guy from the museum's assessment of the picture. But after seeing "the picture" I can see how it was not enough prof of a tasmanian tiger. There's an animal in the shadow of the bush and there's no telling whether it's shadows or stripes.

[@dallasmore6703]

Heard the same sort of statements from the forest service, gamewardens and biologists when I was a kid in Southern IL concerning Mountain Lions. Lots of people saw them, lots of dogs and farm animals have been torn up by them, I heard them, I saw their tracks in the mud and snow, my whole family watched a melanistic pair stroll up out of the woods and hang out in my Grandparents backyard for a good half hour, my mom lost 17 goats and almost lost her Basset Hound after something tried to tear her throat out, she was cut from ear to ear, her loose skin is all that saved her. Then one day a dead one was found on the railroad tracks, biologists claimed it was someones escaped pet, then another was hit by a car, a farmer shot another, and still another got hit, then, finally the forest circus biologist admitted there was a population.

[@rmmc99]

I live in NE Texas and people still scoff at the idea of mountain lions and black bears living here. You'd be surprised what's lurking around. People who hunt and actually spend a lot of time outdoors will agree that there are some, it's just the people who have never been deep in the woods who say they aren't here. I saw an alligator dead on the road a couple years ago and NEVER expected to see that this far north and nowhere near a swamp or large body of water. Just creeks and ponds for a 30 mile radius. Only a mile from my house... Crazy.

[@davida.4933]

@@rmmc99 When I was trapping as a teenager near Beaumont I had a run in with a gator in a small pond. Surprising to say the least at that time. This was in the 1960s. Now they are common in parts of Texas. Trapping and true hunting skills have influenced my views on the thylacine. I'm also trained as a biologist but skills in science aren't really that helpful for finding very rare species. Just my .02.

[@vsvnrg3263]

dallas more, we've got melanistic big cats in the australian bush too! the authorities deny it. then one with its head blown off turned up on the cover of a shooting magazine in 2005. the big cats probably originally got released into the australian bush in the 19th century. there were ads in newspapers advertising exotic creatures for sale before the trade was banned.

[@aurorawolfe6060]

keep up the great work Neil and TAGOA! even if there aren't tazzy tigers out there (which i don't believe is true), living in the countryside and exploring Australian nature with your loyal pup sounds like a good way to live!

[@neilwaters6890]

Cheers. The air is fresh and the landscape is undeniably beautiful. Jess is a way better singer than me too...

[@mickysly1]

That was a very interesting vid/interview there mate, thank you for being so open. I was so sorry to hear about your loss my thoughts go out to you/family 😍😍. I’m so glad your preserving with your quest, if I only lived over there I would of been out helping where I could. 👍😍😎🌍🇬🇧. Good luck and I’m looking forward to seeing more vids 👍👍🤩🤩

[@neilwaters7543]

Cheers Mike. Our channel has several to keep you interested. Thylacine Awareness Group of Australia.

[@angelreys7029]

You gotta respect people like this their giving up their life for someone they believe in, a good example of sometimes you must put all your chips in to make it in life huge respect 🙏 👏

[@synthWizkid]

Ask his daughters what they think...

[@rayandreapittman7251]

Horrifying about your daughter. My family condolences. May gid shine down in you. Thanks for sharing all.

[@phobletera]

I heard they've been spotted in Papua new guinea in the last few decades, but not a big deal to them there.

[@exileisland2675]

Whenever I see the old footage it blows my mind. Essentially a possum convergently evolved the body plan of a dog to fill the niche.

[@chadjones2308]

You guys made me sit through all of that just for some tiny little glimpse! I mean there's something there but it blends into the background it almost looks like it's part of the trees wtf man I was thinking I was going to see actual sightings and you guys really waited all the way to the end to show a little picture of something that you can't even tell

[@willswalkingwest7267]

It's 2021. Going on 2022. Nearly everyone carries high resolution cameras in their cell phones. Drone technology has advanced to high resolution flying cameras. We have relatively cheap infrared technology. We have very high resolution trail cams (camera traps). We have high resolution GoPro cameras that can be worn on the body or in the dash of our cars. We have all of this image capturing technology and no clear unmistakable images of this animal. With every day, week, month, year that goes by with just ambiguous verbal stories, it's most unlikely that this creature still exists. We can take clear pictures and videos of our children, pets, sports events, vacation scenery, etc. But all we have are blurry, pixelated questionable images. I'm hopeful and waiting but the reality is, it's just another obsession.

[@seanmckelvey6618]

I don't disagree with you, but I tend to believe that anyone who says this has never actually tried to film a wild animal in the bush. HD trailcams, phone cameras and drones are not as perfect as everyone seems to think. Filming in poor lighting conditions is bad enough but imagine trying to do that when you're either shocked, surprised or chasing something that is trying to get away. We take clear pictures of things in mostly controlled environments and mostly of things that are willing participants.

[@Tasfarmer]

@@seanmckelvey6618 I worked on dairy farms in the middle of noone in Tasmania with trail cams and there really good seen 100 of wombat devils possums now I've worked down on the author river on the west coast ruff as down here never seen one have seen a few wild dogs but they and here I would love to believe it but they ain't

[@willswalkingwest7267]

@@seanmckelvey6618 I first want it on the record that I have no ill feelings towards Neil Waters. He, by all accounts is a very nice fellow. He has a passion. And more importantly, he is not a couch potato like so many so called "researchers" on the internet. He's out in the bush and I admire him for all this. That being said, I disagree a bit...and I said a bit...about camera quality in the bush. Other people looking for other creatures claim that it is next to impossible to get clear footage from trail cams, drones, GoPro cameras and such. I have in the past offered the following KZbin channel as evidence. I do not know this person, I am not "promoting" his channel, I follow him and only offer it as an example of what SHOULD be done in the bush. Tim Harrell is a fellow who goes into the harshest terrain in South Florida, (USA), my home State. I've been in these places myself as a photographer. His channel offers good quality footage both day and night of some of Florida's most elusive animals. The quality is high. Those searching for the famed "sasquatch" come forth and claim trail cams cannot capture quality images. I offer this site to them as well for evidence to the contrary. There are MANY sites on KZbin of outdoor animal people searching for and capturing footage of their preferred wildlife subjects with great success. And many are doing so on shoestring budgets. And I MUST admit that I do not live in Tasmania, NZ or Australia and I've never been there and I have no first hand experience in any bush country in any of those places. That being said, of all the footage I've seen taken in Tasmania, it's not entirely different from our swampy South Florida wooded areas. And drones. People use drones to make fabulous wildlife footage. While I would admit they may not offer much in the way of searching for the Tiger, they COULD be used to fly over back trails and secondary roads where people claim to see the animal cross. GoPro cameras as dash cams would seem a necessary tool while driving through Tiger country. I have read so many reports of people seeing them cross the road. Even the lower end GoPro cameras take very good quality footage, you wouldn't think so by looking at footage of the many "cryptids" you find on KZbin and when blurry, fuzzy images are offered they can only be discounted right away because good quality tools are available at low cost. And finally, seeing Neil in THIS video, walking in the bush without a GoPro strapped to his chest seems to be an unnecessary oversight. You simply cannot be out in the bush without having every step documented. They're cheap, they're high quality and easy to strap on. I really do hope the Tiger is found. It would make my millenia. What happened to that poor animal represents some of the WORST qualities in humans and while it wouldn't change what people did to it, it would be a great GIFT to find it alive and ultimately protected.

[@davida.4933]

@@willswalkingwest7267 It's kinda' like the situation with the Ivory Bill woodpecker in Florida and neighboring states. Maybe extinct, maybe not. Quite a few sightings some by notable birders. Just tough getting a good picture, technology or not. Maybe it is because the bird truly is long gone. As an aside, I came very close to personally undertaking a serious effort on finding the IBW, instead went to Tasmania and am looking for the thylacine. Beats being a tourist...

[@Tasfarmer]

@Rusty Man and then after this I watch a video of people saying they found a Yowie... I mean come on if you find something capture it so playing around with shit

[@mylesgraham3901]

Neil Waters is the most damaging contribution to the legacy of the thylacine. The animail that they totally hunted to extinction, and the last one left out to freeze.

[@chrisward5626]

Walks around the bush with a dog and wonders why he cant find one .

[@springle91]

Neil : ‘’Welcome to Thylacine Awareness. My names Neil and I’ve seen a Thylacine’’

[@tibetan.music.universe]

Feral cats that have thrived in the Australian outback for 200-300 years are becoming a new species of wildcat unique to Australia. They are huge, vicious and have all the characteristics of a wildcat species. Vice should hunt for one of these instead of the marsupial predator that is long gone because of human actions.

[@Spratdragon]

I agree. Cats finally made it to Australia and are evolving quick.

[@seanmckelvey6618]

@@Spratdragon Everyone goes on about feral cats in Australia but I don't see anyone suggesting they ban the sale of pet cats, even though that where these feral cats came from. This was our doing and we have to live with it. Tough shit, we willingly fucked the environment of this country.

[@tibetan.music.universe]

@@seanmckelvey6618 I'm not talking about the progeny of dumped kittens and strays in the bush or the colony of moggies in suburban Perth. I'm talking about a generational line of cats descended from those that came off ships of the first settlers and spread throughout all of the bush. Over the centuries, these cats have evolved and adapted to the harsh, arid environment to become a formidable predator.

[@davida.4933]

Very interesting some of them have beautiful stripes...

[@lauchlanguddy1004]

just allow cat flu in. Vax domestic cats..the rest are toast, but Nooooooooooo.

[@theflyingdutchguy9870]

i really feel for people like this. because they spend so much time up to pretty much there whole life looking for a ghost. i now the habitat of this creature was pretty huge. with this much people having looked for it all these years i have a feeling it should have probably been found. so either a population has been found and its so well protected that no person outside the people who protect it know. or it is sadly extinct for real. i sure hope its the first one. but the possibility of the species being a thing today is about as big as megoladon.

[@Seddy22]

Neil, It's really good what you're doing and I support you entirely on your mission! With that being said, I was able to find three of the photos you took and I can say without a doubt (as an artist that specializes in animal biology and anatomy) that the picture of the young animal is merely a photo of the back of a domestic tabby cat's head (probably feral). I can explain why as well: The head is incredibly rounded, neck short, and the ears are pricked into triangle shapes. The tigers had long muzzles that would have been visible from this angle and rounded ears, Even young thylacinid did not have stripes across the top of their heads based of photo evidence from the past. The photo clearly has classic tabby markings traveling all the way up the neck and head. The structures of the animal from the other photos dont seem to match a thylacine. They are too thickly built and close to the ground and the rump stripes are not present. I dont believe you hit your mark with these photos but I still wish for you to keep trying and maybe get better and clearer angles. Even if it was a thylacine, it should be with images that are irrefutable and showing a face like ones from the early 1900's.

[@stephenmylchreest3075]

that's what I thought then looked again!

[@dom7634]

Keeps the scat along with his coleslaw dressing lol

[@bajacalifornia4923]

I think the loss of her daughter is connected to the hope of one day finding the tiger, but down under he knows that he would never see one, but the search he seeks keeps he’s mind of his loss, and hopes he never finds it, I think the search keeps him going, sorry brother god bless you and your family

[@mr.perfect1er]

Godspeed and Blessings to Him and His. May He find peace from the terrible loss of His Daughter.

[@bruceaskin9645]

I have seen one , about 10 years ago , in the most unlikeliest of place Rosevers. It crossed the road in front of me, about 8pm. Only had a few stripes on its rump. Ran in a humpy fashion like a possum.

[@neilwaters7543]

Yep, almost every witness mentions the weird gait pattern.

[@lynnetaylor625]

Keep up the good work..persistence will bring this to pass.

[@stevewhite6861]

When you look at the areas covered in trees and the bush where humans probably haven't even set foot it is hard to believe that the thylacine could have been wiped out, the people shooting the tassie probably only got the ones that lived close to human population but they couldn't possibly get the ones living in remote areas, the thylacine is most likely still out there in the remote areas.

[@Trerax]

woah this could be true imagine How big Australia is it could be anywhere somewhere remote

[@C.kirk1287]

This man is really AMAZING to have gone through all that lost and still has the strength to pursue his dreams of catching proof of a tiger that I personally still believe is out here and I don’t think he’s crazy I support you mate from Sacramento California 🙌🏽❤️ if it makes you happy I say GO FOR IT ✊🏽

[@Ihavebeenwatchingyou]

I'm no expert but I imagine that the scent of your dog is not aiding your search.

[@famousbowl9926]

Ikrr

[@neilwaters7543]

Quite the opposite actually. They are terrified of Thylacine's so she is an alarm clock on legs...

[@davida.4933]

Scent dissipates in a few days or a week. Nonissue.

[@Ihavebeenwatchingyou]

@@neilwaters7543 How do you know dogs are terrified of Thylacines?

[@neilwaters7543]

@@Ihavebeenwatchingyou its called experience and research buddy.

[@Alberad08]

Thank you very much for sharing this! When I saw that photo and heard these claims that the stripes were caused by shadows and that the animal was a pademelon, my first thought was, "Nope, these stripes definitely aren't shadows, for the animal is already in the shadow - stripes caused by subshadow-shadows (if I'm alowed to make such a word up) would be much heavier to notice." Then I had to search for pictures of pademelons (I'm from Germany, knowing nothing about these critters) - as it came out, pademelons have no stripes and, as it seems to me, much bigger hind bodies. So thylacine (at least if nobody painted stripes on a fox here) sounds like a great explanation for this particular photo. Congrats, Sir!

[@LessTalkMoreDelicious]

I remember being fascinated w this animal in the 80s when I was a kid. Amazing video. Seems like mad fun being in da bush.

[@Mahopany]

My favourite extinct animal. So majestic. If it's found you should really leave it be and just be relieved it's not extinct.

[@chrisongko1780]

There would be efforts to help it repopulate definitely

[@marcobarrera1990]

Much more wholesome than the actual tiger king.

[@larrynecaise5042]

Sorry for loss mate

[@frestonia262]

Nice man, very sorry for his loss, but when I actually saw the photos he is referring to I felt terribly terribly sad for him.

[@ca9968]

They found a Coelacanth alive and well millions of years after they thought it to be extinct, so why not a Thylacine...?

[@thealphawolftherian9365]

This makes me exited. The tas tiger is my favorite animal, and if it is still out there I'm moving down there.

[@tavish4699]

he seems kinda like that guy from litterary every alien movie that is like : i told you , i told oyu they would come but you wouldnt listen hahahaa

[@nickyoung7368]

We need people like you.

[@manfredpolster1732]

Hello from Austria. Thank you for your efforts. Wishing you the best of luck in your research. 🤘🤠

[@murrayflewelling1258]

Wow , imagine capturing solid evidence of the Tiger .......and Big Foot , in the same photo

[@jordonumadbro]

3:07 this guy keeping his colesaw salad dressing right under tassie tiger scat.

[@theleopardlady4666]

I hope and pray 🙏🏼 that this beautiful creature still exists 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

[@rob6505]

It does 😉

[@dickdastardly5534]

It would be so awesome if these unique creatures are still around - I would give up my work and home to protect and foster these animals.

[@isharalove2966]

Go, Neil!

[@neilwaters7543]

Haha I'm gone already...left the building...

[@johan556]

I must say i find this man very inspiring.

[@herby375]

Sorry for your lose buddy and I truly hope you find that Tiger!!!

[@watjejanssen7535]

enjoyed watching and i believe they are still out there !

[@farisahmadf_]

Hey vice lets take a look at Didik Raharyono. Independent researcher just like this guy. Hes been searching for javan tiger since 90s and having many evidence. Appeared on animal planet's show extinc or alive

[@farisahmadf_]

Great video btw!!

[@luciantempest1291]

I saw something yesterday, along the gravel back Rd about 5 mins from Mawbanna store. It was tall long legs long tail walked very graceful. From the distance first sight I thought it looked like a huge cat, Savanna or Serville African cat. All one colour light brown. Do the pups have the dark stripes on the back or do they get darker as they age? I don’t know what I saw but it was big and not a marsupial. I would love for the thylacine to exist again

[@smartprocesssolutions748]

Thank You Mate! Keep on your mission!

[@sidstevens9035]

Neil is very dedicated to finding the Thylacine but unfortunately will never find it if he continues to take his smelly dog with him every trip. The Tiger would detect the dog from 3 km's away every time. Neil just does not understand the basics of hunting unfortunately and in every interview he 'leads' the witness into saying what he wants to hear not what they want to say. He is well meaning but is his own worst enemy.

[@jimjonez5068]

One night coming home from my shift late in the morning on graveyard at approximately 4am, I was driving near the rural side of the hills district near river stone area in NSW and as I had turned the corner close to a chicken farm paddock, I stopped my car and I was in complete shock in the middle of the road…I had observed the Tasmanian tiger mid hunting a chicken and it had stopped as my lights came upon it…and it stared at me and I had got out slowly and before I could even reach for a second to trap my phone it ran off into the horse fields. I’ll never forget the moment I had seen this stunning creature.

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

more of them way down south near queenstown ! you can find their scat! i was there and i went walking and found a large scat ! at the pub talking to old timers they told me - my grand father did go hunting them ! long story ! 1910 he was hunting !

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

your story of being scared = is made up bullshit = they killed sheep and only ate the heart and lung`s -so 7 - 10 sheep per night ! after a week you ha almost no sheep left ! = you need to study more ! and that is why a bounty was placed !

[@curiodyssey3867]

@@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm wtf are you on Mate maybe take a little less next time

[@samuelbailey1888]

2 people in Tas. gave a good description of Thylacine sightings in Tas. to me in 2019.

[@tarunfreestone6024]

"if it costs your marriage, it costs your marriage." Okay...... sure I'm noticing a trend.... deeply emotionally scarred old white blokes.... they are all legends but it's just sad that they lost their kids. To an extinct marsupial.

[@neilwaters6890]

I gained my daughter, i didn't lose a thing to Ol Stripey. Julia died 5 years before I went after the Thylacine. Maybe watch the video again. Sharna loves what I do and is proud of my pursuits in life. Live your dreams where ever you can. That's why we have them...

[@jimnewsom2641]

I hope this guy discovers one. I had a place west of Fort Worth in Palo Pinto county for years and only once did I see a Bobcat......they are very elusive. Most of these animals will not show themselves and they can smell you before you find them.

[@Blakenwhyte]

Seems like a nice dude. I appreciate the effort, keep on keeping on ;)

[@koobie83]

I’ve seen one. SE Queensland in about 1991. It crossed the road in front of my whole car. We all saw it (my whole family). It took us a while to work out what we were looking at. At first our first thought was some kind of mangey, skinny dog with stripes on its bum. We were all sort of stunned and took us like a minute to say… ‘that looked like a Tasmanian tiger?!’ So strange.

[@milburndmello4443]

Can we talk?

[@carlnetterberg508]

The rest of us lazy people should be happy that there are people like Mr Waters who are fighting out there in the bush. Even if the pictures arouse doubt with us nonexperts, I really hope that it will be Mr Waters who manages to take new pictures such as leaving no doubt that the tiger is still there.