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DNA profiling can help determine the particular genes which are active in the deadly cancer cells. This inturn can help scientist find a cure for the disease.
Captive breeding ensure that there are a population of healthy devils which can be sustainably released into the wild.
What else can I help you with?
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 Australia breeding the Tasmanian devil?
Yes. Tasmanian devils are being kept in captive breeding programmes in an attempt to help preserve the species.
Why are zoos breeding Tasmanian devils in captivity?
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, but not necessarily in the wild.
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.
How do captive breeding programs affect genetic diversity?
Captive breeding programs can affect genetic diversity in one of two ways. Within the program itself, genetic diversity is reduced, because captive breeding programs only have a limited number of animals to work with. On the other hand, animals from a captive breeding program that are re-introduced to the wild can increase genetic diversity, because they are bringing genes that may have been gone for a long time back into the gene pool.
Is it possible to save the Tasmanian devil today?
Yes. While there are many threats to the Tasmanian devil, there are also numerous protective programmes and captive breeding programmes to almost certainly ensure the survival of the species.
Where are the Tasmanian devils found today?
The Tasmanian Devil is found in the wild only on Australia's island state of Tasmania. There are some populations in captive breeding programmes on the mainland, particularly through Victoria and South Australia.
Why are small aircraft used in captive breeding programs of whooping cranes?
It is to monitor whooping cranes habitats.
How many Tasmanian devils are in zoos?
Tasmanian devils are only found in the wild in the Australian island state of Tasmania. They are no longer found on the mainland continent, except in captive breeding programmes.Numbers of the Tasmanian devil in the wild are dropping rapidly. According to Australia's Department of Primary Industries, data from December 2006 gives an estimate of the Tasmanian Devil's population at only 20,000 - 50,000 mature Tasmanian Devils. However, it is very hard to accurately determine numbers. Sightings have dropped by around 64%. The most recent estimate from June 2011 is that numbers across Tasmania are around 40,000, down from 100,000 prior to the outbreak of the devastating Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). Some sources suggest the figure is as low as 17,000.There are three major problems the Tasmanian Devil faces:Devil Facial Tumour DiseaseRecent introduction of the red fox into TasmaniaRoadkill - which accounts for an estimated 2000 deaths of Tasmanian Devils every yearBecause of the impact of the DFTD, scientists have begun a captive breeding programme of Tasmanian devils. This involves taking healthy individuals from Tasmania and breeding them in special "wild" enclosures on the mainland. Figures for captive Tasmanian devils indicate that there are several hundred more Tasmanian devils in 18 zoos and sanctuaries across Australia. Captive breeding programmes in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales have seen considerable success. Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, alone, has managed to maintain a Tasmanian devil population of around 120 over the past decade, meaning that new joeys are being successfully bred. The aim, ultimately, is to keep a steady population of some 500 Tasmanian devils in captive breeding, releasing healthy individuals into the wild.
Are Tasmanian devils held captive?
The Tasmanian Devil is a wild animal. They are not domesticated, nor kept as pets. Even if they were not protected animals, the Tasmanian devil would not be a desirable pet. They can be very fierce where food is concerned and, when cornered, can emit a foul smell. Some are kept in zoos and animal sanctuaries in Australia, while there are also some captive breeding programmes in an attempt to preserve the species.
Are black footed ferrets dying off quickly?
No. After successful captive breeding programs, they have increased in the wild to nearly 3000.
Where do pandas live and what is being done to help them?
The Panda lives in China and people are helping them by captive breeding programs, and protecting them, and their habitat.
