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DFTD, or Devil Facial Tumour Disease, has infected approximately 60% of Tasmanian devils on the island of Tasmania, resulting in the Tasmanian Devil being classified as "endangered".
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Is Tasmanian Devil facial tumour disease harmful to humans?
The Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) poses no risk at all to humans or animals of any other species.
Does the Tasmanian devil carry diseases?
Tasmanian devils do not carry any diseases which may be passed on to humans. However, they are at risk of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a fatal cancer which is transmitted to other Tasmanian devils through biting.
What is the name of the illness that killed Tasmanian devils in the mid-1990s?
In the mid-1990s, a new disease appeared, which not only started to affect the Tasmanian devil's numbers, but has continued to spread throughout two-thirds of the Tasmanian Devil population. This was, and is, DFTD. DFTD means the Tasmanian Devil facial tumour disease. DFTD is a fatal condition which causes cancers around the face and head of Tasmanian Devils. It first appears as small lesions and lumps around the animal's mouth which grow quite quickly, inhibiting the Devil's ability to feed. They slowly starve to death, whilst their their bodily functions gradually break down. It spreads from animal to animal through them biting each other, and given that this is natural behaviour for Devils, it means that the disease can quickly spread through a population
Are there any captive breeding programs for the Tasmanian Devil?
Yes, there are many captive breeding programs to help save the Tasmanian devil. 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. There is a nation-wide Captive Breeding Program (CBP) called the 'Insurance Population' which is managed by the Zoological and Aquariums Association (ZAA) in coordination with the Tasmanian Governments 'Save the Tasmanian Devil Program' (STTDP).
Is there only 10 percent of Tasmanian devils left in Tasmania?
No - fortunately. Up to 65% of the wild Tasmanian devil population in the state of Tasmania has been affected by DFTD, which is the Devil Facial Tumour Disease. However, averaging out mortality rates in the different colonies throughout Tasmania, there seems to have been an overall decline of up to 50% in Tasmanian devil numbers.
What is the aim of the Tasmanian devil breeding program?
The purpose of the Tasmanian devil breeding programme is to ensure that this unique animal does not become extinct. Zoos and animal sanctuaries 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, although this may not necessarily preserve them in the wild.
Can Tasmanian devils get sick?
Tasmanian devils can certainly get sick. Tasmanian Devils are threatened by a fatal form of cancer called Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) which is transmitted between Tasmanian devils by biting.
Why isn't anything being done about the Tasmanian devil?
On the contrary: a great deal is being done to try and help the Tasmanian devil. One of the main threats to the Tasmanian devil is the Devil Facial Tumour Disease. 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.
How does the Tasmanian devil catch Devil Facial Tumour Disease?
Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is spread through contact. Tasmanian devils are notorious for their territorial fighting, and the disease is spread very easily through biting and the transfer of saliva.
What is being done to save Tasmanian devils from being endangered?
One of the main threats to the Tasmanian devil is the Devil Facial Tumour Disease. 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.
What steps have been taken to protect the Tasmanian devil?
The Tasmanian devil became officially protected under Australian law in June 1941. 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.
What is being done to help Tasmanian devil from extinction?
The Tasmanian devil is not extinct and so does not need to be brought back. They do, however, need to be safeguarded for the future. 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.
