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Scientists, conservation groups and the Tasmanian government are all helping in the fight against the Tasmanian 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.
Conservation groups are helping to monitor Tasmanian devil populations, and to increase awareness of the plight of these animals. Conservation groups are invaluable for raising funds that can then go towards research.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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".
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 the Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease contagious to other animals?
No. The DFTD (Devil Facial Tumour Disease) is spread by contact via saliva. As Tasmanian devils are territorial animals which fight over their meals, the disease spreads very easily. However, it cannot (as yet) cross into other species. It is not known what sparked off this disease. Tasmanian Devils seem to be particularly vulnerable to this disease because of their genetic makeup: they have particularly low levels of genetic diversity and a chromosomal mutation which is unique among carnivorous mammals. It is hoped that, by studying this genetic makeup, scientists will be able to develop a vaccine and/or cure.
Can you find the devil facial tumour disease in other animals?
No. The DFTD (Devil Facial Tumour Disease) is spread by contact via saliva. As Tasmanian devils are territorial animals which fight over their meals, the disease spreads very easily. However, it cannot (as yet) cross into other species. It is not known what sparked off this disease. Tasmanian Devils seem to be particularly vulnerable to this disease because of their genetic makeup: they have particularly low levels of genetic diversity and a chromosomal mutation which is unique among carnivorous mammals. It is hoped that, by studying this genetic makeup, scientists will be able to develop a vaccine and/or cure.
What impact can humans have on the Tasmanian devils environment?
European settlers use to hunt the Tasmanian Devil because they thought they ate their farm animals. But the main reason why they are endangered is because they are suffering from a cancer called DEVIL FACIAL TUMOUR DISEASE.
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 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 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.
What four things can cause cancer?
Genetic predisposition.Exposure to known or unknown carcinogenic chemicals.Certain viruses and some bacteria.Exposure to radiation.Old age.Some cancers are transmissible from one individual to another eg Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD)
