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DFTD refers to a disease which is devastating the population of wild Tasmanian devils. 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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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".
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.
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.
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.
What percent of the Tasmanian devil has DFTD?
It is not known what percentage of actual Tasmanian devils have been affected by DFTD (Devil Facial Tumour Disease). A decade ago, it was estimated that between a third and a half of wild Tasmanian devils had died as a result of the diesease. According to Tasmania's Department of Primary Industries, Water and the Environment, DFTD has now been recorded in Tasmanian devils across more than half of Tasmania: it has affected populations in the eastern half of Tasmania, and west to Cradle Valley. As of 2004, it affected over 65 per cent of Tasmania. There is no sign of the disease in animals within sanctuaries and captive breeding programmes.
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
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.
Do Tasmanian Devils have facial tumours?
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.
How long has the Tasmanian devil been endangered?
From about 1996, the Tasmanian Devil has been threatened by a fatal form of cancer called "Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)" which has killed large numbers of Tasmanian devils, resulting in an "Endangered" classification. It was officially added to the Endangered species list early in 2009.
What are Tasmanian devils known for?
Tasmanian devils are known for being aggressive defenders of their food and territory, and for fighting with each other. Unfortunately, in the past decade or two, they have also become known for the DFTD - Devil Facial Tumour Disease - which leads to cancerous lesions over the Tasmanian devil's face, eventually causing death. Because Tasmanian devils fight with each other, they easily spread this disease between individuals.
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 are some good ''did you know'' questions about Tasmanian devils?
Did you know:Tasmanian devils belong to a group of marsupials known as "dasyurids", which are the carnivorous marsupials?Tasmanian devils are not only hunters, but also scavengers, and carrion-feeders?Tasmanian devils are subject to a disease known as Devil facial tumour Disease, or DFTD, which causes cancerous lesions over their face?Tasmanian devils gained their name of "devil" from the unearthly shrieking sounds they make as they fight over their food at night?Tasmanian devils can emit a pungent odor as a defence mechanism when threatened?
