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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).
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Is Australia breeding the Tasmanian devil?
Yes. Tasmanian devils are being kept in captive breeding programmes in an attempt to help preserve the species.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
Is the Tasmanian devil's population growing or lowering?
Whilst there are no exact figures for the Tasmanian devil's population, their numbers are known to be declining. This is based on the fact that sightings of wild Tasmanian devils have dropped by around 64%. Figures from late 2009, the year this marsupial was officially listed as Endangered, indicate that in recent decades the Tasmanian Devil's population has dropped by 70% to an estimated 45,000 - 50,000 Tasmanian Devils in the wild. Fortunately, captive breeding programmes are ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic animal.
