Tiger, tiger burning bright going global

Michael Moss has been researching the Tasmanian tiger for 20 years. 146478

By GEORGIA WESTGARTH

A DOCUMENTARY set to air worldwide on mainland Australia Tasmanian tiger sightings will feature local hotspots and a Hampton Park resident’s own mystery story.
The eight-part television series, ‘Strange World’, landed in Australia in March to interview former Cranbourne resident and thylacine independent researcher, Michael Moss and tiger sighter, David Chinn from Hampton Park.
Filmed by Off the Fence Productions, Mr Moss said he expected the series to start on the live streaming channel, Insight TV in late November.
“It will be great to get the message out about mainland Australia sightings opposed to Tasmanian sightings because Tasmania often tends to get the spotlight and I don’t know why because there’s nothing there,” Mr Moss said.
The documentary which will shine a light on the numerous sightings around Cranbourne and the south-east will also feature Mr Chinn’s sighting in the Otways.
“David Chinn spotted the animal when he was a lighthouse keeper,” Mr Moss said.
Interviewed by UK independent journalist, Alex Hannaford, Mr Moss reveals his own tiger theory in the documentary series.
“My theory is the tigers were introduced into Wilsons Promontory in Victoria between 1908 and 1915.
“The Tasmanian tiger had a shocking reputation as a sheep killer in Tasmania and I believe they kept it a secret, otherwise farmers would have (shot the tiger) on the mainland,” he said.
Mr Moss, who has dedicated most of his life to researching the animal, said the documentary would “hopefully focus people’s attention on where tigers may still remain on mainland Australia.”