Giant Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine)

Giant Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine)

Giant Playground Structure

In 2014 The Launceston City Council commissioned Natureworks to create a larger-than-life resting thylacine as a playground element for the Heritage Forest Park in Launceston, Tasmania. Natureworks was specifically chosen because of the company’s reputation for high-quality animal art and its experience replicating the realism of tiger sculptures and other Australian megafauna animals.

Features

• L 3.5m x W 2.4 x H 1.2m – 150kg approx.
• Heavy-duty fibreglass – Durable due to its thickness, weight and strength
• Shipping 13-16 weeks approx.
• Manufactured in Australia at Natureworks Studio near Brisbane
• Coloured in the negative to aid in the longevity of its colour (skilled process required)

Benefits

• Provides a connection with Australia’s and possibly the world’s most significant large mammal extinction of recent times.
• Is a pathway into learning about thylacines/Tasmanian tigers, and extinct species of marsupial native to Australia
• stimulate children’s imagination and creativity, as they pretend to be thylacines/Tasmanian tigers and explore their natural habitat
• Sense of adventure – climb & play structure.
• Cultural significance – Important symbol of Australian culture – promote awareness and appreciation for this unique animal from our not-too-distant past.

Historical Significance

What is particularly significant is that the Government of the time was directly responsible for the Thylacine’s rapid decline by instigating a bounty on the death and skin of each animal trapped or shot. This accelerated the rapid decline of the animal, which was barely holding onto survival after the rapid colonisation of Tasmania and the habitat destruction that followed.

This sculpture was modelled in potter’s clay and moulded in high-quality latex with a fibreglass jacket. The finished piece is cast in heavy-duty fibreglass and painted true to life.

Natureworks would love to offer this piece to all councils in Tasmania so that all Tassie children and visitors can enjoy the embrace of this ICONIC Tasmanian LEGEND!