‘He’s out of this world!’ cried Robert, admiring the ancient painting on the rock’s surface. Their Aboriginal friend, DJ, laughed. ‘You’re right, Robert, he is out of this world, considering he’s extinct!’ ‘I didn’t know Tasmanian tigers had ever lived as far north as the Northern Territory,’ said Bindi, surprised. ‘They sure did!’ answered DJ, with enthusiasm. ‘The Tassie tiger, or thylacine, once lived all over Australia. Aboriginal rock art like this is very cool because not only does it mean a lot of different things to Aboriginal people, it’s also more than just art for tourists and non-Indigenous Australians. It’s a historical record as well.’ Terri Irwin smiled at DJ’s dad, Tommy Yibarbul, who was an old friend and lectured in Indigenous art at the university in Darwin. ‘He’s becoming a chip off the old block, Tommy.’ Tommy grinned. ‘Yep, DJ loves an audience.’ The Irwins took a few more moments to study the Indigenous rock painting of the tiger.
