Roads And “Tiger Country”
In the distant solitudes of the West Coast – the wide button-grass plains, broken ranges and dense forests – the Thylacine, until a few years ago, could have been guaranteed to live a life of comparative seclusion. There was little prospect of the region becoming accessible to more than a few hardy prospectors, whom one will always expect to find in the remote and inhospitable parts of the country. But in the past few years a great part of this “tiger country” has been penetrated by the West Coast road, which has altered the position considerably. Whilst most of the country traversed by the road never will be suitable for closer settlement or agricultural development because of its mountainous nature and paucity of soil, the opening of the road has attracted a certain number of people into this district, largely in search of precious metal, pine, hardwood, or other natural products. During the game season the road will give access for hunters to areas that have not previously been hunted. Thus, no doubt, the Thylacine will retreat still further and be forced to share with others of its kind the game that is now scarcely sufficient to support the number already occupying outlying parts of the territory.
In the distant solitudes of the West Coast – the wide button-grass plains, broken ranges and dense forests – the Thylacine, until a few years ago, could have been guaranteed to live a life of comparative seclusion. There was little prospect of the region becoming accessible to more than a few hardy prospectors, whom one will always expect to find in the remote and inhospitable parts of the country. But in the past few years a great part of this “tiger country” has been penetrated by the West Coast road, which has altered the position considerably. Whilst most of the country traversed by the road never will be suitable for closer settlement or agricultural development because of its mountainous nature and paucity of soil, the opening of the road has attracted a certain number of people into this district, largely in search of precious metal, pine, hardwood, or other natural products. During the game season the road will give access for hunters to areas that have not previously been hunted. Thus, no doubt, the Thylacine will retreat still further and be forced to share with others of its kind the game that is now scarcely sufficient to support the number already occupying outlying parts of the territory.
The Mercury (Hobart, Tas: 1860 – 1954) Sat 25 Mar 1939, Page 5
