Two rare thylacine heads surface in UK auctions after decades in private hands

Consensus Summary

Two rare mounted thylacine heads have recently surfaced in the UK, set to be auctioned by the same Bristol-based auction house, Auctioneum. The first was sold in August for £62,000 ($120,000), far exceeding its expected value of £30 ($57) to £50 ($95) after being mistakenly listed as a fox. The second head, discovered under a bed in London, will go under the hammer on November 26, marking the third-known mounted thylacine head in existence. Both specimens were shot in Tasmania in the early 1900s and brought to the UK in 1905, with the last known thylacine dying in captivity on September 7, 1936—a date now commemorated as World Threatened Species Day.

The discovery of these thylacine heads has reignited global interest in the extinct marsupial, often called the Tasmanian tiger. Both specimens were kept hidden for decades, with the second found after the family read about the first sale and sought verification. The first head, initially thought to be a fox due to its bulbous shape and googly eyes, was authenticated by its teeth, while the second was confirmed through radiographs. The International Thylacine Specimen Database (ITSD) has recorded about 815 thylacine specimens worldwide, with the UK holding the largest collection, primarily in museums and universities.

Key figures in the story include auctioneer Andrew Stowe of Auctioneum, who oversaw both sales, and UK collector James Cranfield, who purchased the first thylacine head in August. Cranfield described his find as 'a discovery of a lifetime,' and his authentication efforts helped verify the second specimen. The family that owned the second head admitted to hiding it out of fear, storing it under a bed for years. Both ABC and 7NEWS highlight the scientific and historical significance of these discoveries, emphasizing their role as tangible evidence of a species driven to extinction by human activity.

While both articles agree on the core details—such as the auction dates, the specimens' origins, and their rarity—there are differences in emphasis and specific claims. ABC provides more detail about the first sale, including the initial misidentification as a fox and the dramatic price jump, while 7NEWS focuses on the second head’s physical condition, such as its open mouth, brown glass eyes, and missing cranium section. Additionally, ABC specifies the first thylacine was shot in Sheffield, whereas 7NEWS only notes it was shot by a farmer around 1900 without a location. The estimated value for the second head also differs significantly from the first, with 7NEWS listing a range of £30,000 to £50,000 ($A56,777 to $A94,628).

The articles do not explicitly state what will happen next, but both underscore the ongoing importance of these specimens in scientific research and conservation awareness. The thylacine’s extinction serves as a warning about the fragility of species, and these discoveries offer a rare opportunity to study what remains of the animal. As the second head goes to auction, the story highlights how private collections and historical artifacts can resurface unexpectedly, challenging perceptions of extinction and the enduring value of natural history.