Corporate Body
Tasmanian Acclimatisation Society (1862 - 1876)
- From
- 1862
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia - To
- 1876
- Functions
- Acclimatisation and Naturalists' society
Summary
The Tasmanian Acclimatisation Society (TAS) was founded in 1862 with the object of introducing to Tasmania animals or plants thought to be potentially useful or ornamental. Such introductions might be accomplished by purchase, gift, or exchange. It was intended to publish reports for the purpose of spreading knowledge of acclimatisation. The Society took as its model the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, founded 1861. Importation of plants and animals into Tasmania had, by 1862, been occurring for many years, notably through the efforts of the Royal Society of Tasmania. The TAS utilised several islands for their programs. However it attracted criticism for a lack of "vigour and earnestness of purpose", and for contributing to animal cruelty. The Society, never robust and with uncertain financial resources, ceased in 1876. Later attempts to establish similar organisations included the Tasmanian Game Protection and Acclimatisation Society (1895) and the Northern Tasmanian Acclimatisation Society (1899).
Related entries
Published resources
Books
- Tasmanian Acclimatisation Society, The rules and objectives of the Tasmanian Acclimatisation Society, with a list of the officers, members, and subscribers to the Society (Hobart Town: Burnet, Printer, 1862), 10 pp, https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-489136600/view?partId=nla.obj-489184004#page/n0/mode/1up. Details
Journal Articles
- Petrow, Stefan, 'A very great idea? Acclimtisation of animals in Tasmania 1862 - 1895', Papers and proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 157 (2023), 41-58, https://doi.org/10.26749/25131248.v2. Details
Helen Cohn
Created: 7 October 2025