Overview
- The privately held taxidermy head, nicknamed 'Trevor', was brought to Auctioneum after media coverage of an August sale prompted its owners to come forward.
- Auctioneum arranged radiographs that show the specimen’s original skull remains intact inside the mount, increasing its scientific value.
- ITSD expert Dr Stephen Sleightholme has authenticated the mount and added it to the International Thylacine Specimen Database, updating the official record of known remains.
- Auctioneers say the head is believed to have been shot in Sheffield, Tasmania around 1900 and brought to the UK about 1905, a provenance claim that has been reported by the sellers and auction house but not independently verified.
- The find raises the number of recorded preserved thylacine heads to three and could prompt more owners to reveal specimens, which may expand material available for research and shift collector market values.