What can humans do to help save Tasmanian devils?

Answer 1

From about 1996, the Tasmanian Devil has been threatened by a fatal form of cancer called "Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)" which has killed more than 90% of adults in high density areas and 45% of adults in medium to low density areas resulting in an "Endangered" classification. Since then, the Threatened Species Scientific Advisory Committee has recommended moving the Tasmanian Devil up the "Endangered Species" list. A number of groups have combined to fund, study, analyse and come up with a cure for DFTD. You can find out more about it or assist by going to the attached Web Page and selecting one of the options.

Answer 2

From about 1996, the Tasmanian Devil has been threatened by a fatal form of cancer called "Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)" which has killed more than 90% of adults in high density areas and 45% of adults in medium to low density areas resulting in an "Endangered" classification.

Since then, the Threatened Species Scientific Advisory Committee has recommended moving the Tasmanian Devil up the "Endangered Species" list.

A number of groups have combined to fund, study, analyse and come up with a cure for DFTD. You can find out more about it or assist by going to the attached Web Pages and selecting one of the options.

Answer 3

Absolutely. All animals have a right to be protected within their natural, native area. The Tasmanian devil has its own niche within its biome, as Tasmania's largest native carnivorous marsupial. The Tasmanian devil also performs a valuable service by cleaning up carrion and road kill.

Answer 4

Currently, the greatest threat to the Tasmanian devil is the Devil facial Tumour Disease, a contagious cancer which proves fatal to the animals.

The everyday person can help by donating to help research into finding a cure for this cancer. Information is available at the related link below. People who visit or live in Tasmania can also be alert when they are driving: Tasmanian devils often feed on roadkill, and unfortunately, many of them can be killed by cars while feeding, particularly from dusk through to the early morning hours.

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.

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.

Answer 5

There are a number of ways that humans can help 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.

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.

Everyday people can also help. Drivers can be extra careful when driving between dusk and dawn in bush and rural areas, as Tasmanian devils often feed on roadkill beside the road - thereby becoming roadkill themselves.

Answer 6

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 November 2012, healthy, disease-free Tasmanian devils were released on an island off the coast of Tasmania, and these animals are already breeding, showing great promise for the future of the Tasmanian devil.

Regarding the progress of the disease itself, in January 2010, a team of international scientists pinpointed the genetic marker that predisposes Tasmanian devils towards this fatal disease. Further, cancer-curing properties of plants in northern rainforests of Australia show promise also. With this knowledge, there is now a better chance of a cure, which would also stop the disease decimating the wild Tasmanian devil population.

Answer 7

Tasmanian devils are already endangered, so they cannot be saved from this. There are measures, however, to prevent their extinction.

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.

Ordinary people have a part to play as well. Many devils are killed by cars as they feed on roadside carrion, so drivers should be careful as they travel through bushland areas, particularly at night.