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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.
Whilst there is no actual cure for the disease yet, scientists have identified the genetic marker that causes Tasmanian devils to be predisposed to the disease, and this will go a long way towards finding a cure. Also, scientists have recently reported promising results in cancer cures from a drug manufactured frfom a certain type of brushwood in the North Queensland tropical rainforests. This has worked successfully in trials on cancerous tumours in cats, dogs and horses, and as well as being hoped to be a potential cure in human cancers, it is also hoped to be able to be used against DFTD.
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Benefits of Devil's Facial Tumour Disease?
There are no benefits to the Devil's Facial Tumour disease found in Tasmanian Devils. It is an insidious and dangerous disease which is gradually spreading through more and more of the Tasmanian Devil population.
How is DFTD affecting the Tasmanian devil population?
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".
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.
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 45000-50000 indicates that the Tasmanian devil is endangered?
According to data from December 2006, there are actually estimated to be only 20,000 - 50,000 mature Tasmanian Devils left. This is a low figure, particularly given that the Tasmanian Devil has been hit by a disease (Devil Facial Tumour Disease - DFTU) for which there is currently no cure. It is for this reason that the Tasmanian devil has only recently been placed on the endangered species list.
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.
Why did the population of the Tasmanian Devil drop so dramatically?
The Tasmanian Devil's numbers have dropped so dramatically for a number of reasons. This has largely occurred due to "devil facial tumour disease", which has infected 60% of the island of Tasmania, resulting in the Tasmanian Devil being classified as endangered. Devil Facial Tumour Disease is a relatively new disease which threatens the survival of this marsupial. The disease spreads through biting - and this is very common in Devils as they are natural fighters, battling tooth and claw for every morsel of food. Only the western third of Tasmania is currently free of the disease. This disease, a form of contagious cancer, first became apparent in 1996. In the mid-1990s, Tasmanian Devil numbers were around 150,000. Now, sightings have dropped by 64%, and numbers are estimated to be between 15,000 and 50,000, with no real way of knowing actual figures. As the Devil numbers decrease, fox numbers are increasing. Although no match for a healthy, mature Tasmanian Devil, introduced foxes hunt young Tasmanian Devils.
How are people protecting 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. 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.The "Save the Tasmanian Devil" campaign helps the Tasmanian devil, with the objective being to 'maintain an enduring and ecologically functional population of Tasmanian Devils in the wild in Tasmania'. This programme is a joint initiative between the Australian Federal and Tasmanian State governments, together with the University of Tasmania.More sponsorship has come through the car company Suzuki Australia which has developed a is partnership with Zoos Victoria. Suzuki donates an amount from the sale of each Suzuki SUV to help save the Tasmanian Devil.
What are the predictions about the Tasmanian devil's future?
The Tasmanian devil seems to have a rather bleak future. Since 1996, it has been threatened by a fatal cancer known as the "Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)", and for which neither cause nor cure has yet been found. As the disease spreads, it seems the only way to preserve the Tasmanian Devil is to keep aside some healthy animals within a protected sanctuary, and hope that their apparent genetic predisposition to the disease does not surface.
How do you spell tasmanian devil?
Tasmanian devil is the correct spelling.
Does a Tasmanian devil eat another Tasmanian devil?
Tasmanian devils do not eat other live Tasmanian devils. They will, however, readily feed on the carcass of another Tasmanian devil that has died.
What are the enemies of the Tasmanian Devil?
The Tasmanian Devil had no natural predators until introduced species such as cats, dogs and foxes were brought to Tasmania.A major enemy of the Tasmanian devils is human beings. See the related Wikipedia link below.
