What is killing the Tasmanian Devil?

Answer 1

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. You can find out more about it or assist by going to the attached Web Page and selecting one of the options.

Answer 2

The Tasmanian Devil is under severe threat from a facial tumour disease which is highly infectious, spreading through the population. The Devil Facial Tumour Disease causes lesions and tumours to form around the mouth of the animal, inhibiting its ability to feed properly. Death occurs die to starvation and the breakdown of other body functions.

It is not known what has caused DFTD, although there is some speculation about the use of certain chemicals in farming. The disease was first observed in 1996 and, since then, has spread throughout Tasmania, although the far western coast colonies of devils are still unaffected. Currently, there is no cure. The only hope for the Tasmanian devil is isolation of healthy individuals for breeding programmes.

Scientists estimate that unless the disease can be stopped in some way, Tasmanian Devils will be extinct within two decades. The Devils seem to be particularly vulnerable to this 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.

In January 2010, scientists isolated the genetic marker for the disease, and this is a big step 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.

Answer 3

Being at the top of the food chain, the Tasmanian devil has no native predators. However, there are numerous threats.

The most obvious threat to the Tasmanian devil is habitat loss. The timber industry and land-clearing for agriculture has resulted in considerable habitat loss for Tasmanian devils and other native animals.

Second to this is the Tasmanian devil's own feeding habits. This creature cleans up roadkill - carrion by the side of roads - but as a result, an estimated 2000 Tasmanian devils every year are killed by cars.

The introduction of the red fox which has finally made its way to Tasmania, is a threat to the Tasmanian devil as it competes with the Tasmanian devil for food.

A lesser-known but more deadly threat is the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). Since about 1996, the Tasmanian Devil has been threatened by this fatal cancer which has killed more than 90% of adults in high density areas and 45% of adults in medium to low density areas. As a result, the Tasmanian Devil's status was officially listed as "Endangered" as of May 2009. This 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.

A number of groups have combined to fund, study, analyse and come up with a cure for DFTD. You can find out more about it or assist by going to the attached Web Page and selecting one of the options.