How can you save the Tasmanian devil?

Answer 1

Ordinary people can be aware that, when driving at night, there may be Tasmanian devils on the side of the road, feeding on roadkill. This is one of the chief threats to the Tasmanian devil, as many are killed by cars. Drive safely and sensibly on Tasmanian roads, and always report injured Tasmanian devils.

There are many conservation groups specifically geared towars researching and helping the Tasmanian devil, and people can donate money to these, become involved in fund-raising activities, or sponsor a Tasmanian devil. See the related links below.

Scientists are breeding Tasmanian Devils in captivity to limit the spread of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). This disease is a great threat to Tasmanian devils living in the wild, affecting some two-thirds of the population.

The Australian Government now has initiatives and programs set up to preserve the species. Tasmanian devils are being housed in captive breeding programmes, which should prevent the extinction of the marsupial, but not necessarily in the wild. In January 2010, a team of international scientists pinpointed the genetic marker that predisposes Tasmanian devils towards this fatal disease. With this knowledge, there is now a better chance of a cure, which would also stop the disease decimating the wild Tasmanian devil population.