Save the Tasmanian Devil

ne F R
w E
sl E
et
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save the
Tasmanian Devil
www.tassiedevil.com.au
March 2008
ISSN 1833-4954
In this issue:
2
3
6
Better the
devil you
know
Face to
face with
a devil
Devils
unleashed
for Mardi
Gras
The best of the
best of the best
When trapping teams began collecting
the newest members of our Insurance
Population in January, they caught 70
Tasmanian devils. Of these, only 10
juveniles could be taken into captivity.
‘An incredible amount of work goes
into making sure we get the best of the
best of the best. But it’s important we
do so, because these are the devils
of the future.’ explained Dydee Mann,
coordinator of the Western Intake 2008.
Up to 100 wild Tasmanian devils will be
brought into the program’s quarantine
facility before April. ‘We target recentlyweaned devils, around one year old,
and without signs or biting or fighting,’
Dydee said. ‘DFTD is less common in
young devils, especially before they have
dispersed into areas with the disease’.
Welcome
The devil program is entering an exciting new
stage with many initiatives in the pipeline.
A five-year plan is being prepared to guide
the program from July 2008 to June 2013.
The Australian Government has committed
funding of $10 million over five years, and
funding from the State Government will be
announced next month.
The Mark Webber Challenge Foundation has
selected this program as one of the main
causes it will support in 2008. Funds will go
to some private zoos on mainland Australia
that are committed to breeding devils as part
of the insurance population. Mark Webber
joins a growing list of devil champions, like
“Nature Nic”, Qantas, Tasmanian Wildlife
Parks and the Tasmanian Devils VFL team,
who have thrown themselves into the fight to
save this wonderful animal.
Steve Smith, Program Manager
Devils are only taken from areas that are
at least 50 km west of the known disease
‘front’.
The Australian zoo association, ARAZPA,
advised that at least 150 founders and
an effective breeding population of
around 500 breeding devils are needed
to maintain the genetic diversity of the
species over a period of 10 to 20 years.
The Australian Government authorised
the capture of these additional wild
healthy devils. Over the past two years,
more than 70 devils have already been
sent to the mainland as part of the
Insurance Population.
CRIKEY! Australian Formula One racer Mark
Webber (with Steve Smith, manager of the Save
the Tasmanian Devil Program) is raising money
to support Tasmanian devil breeding facilities at
the Irwin family’s Australia Zoo, as well as other
private zoos such as the Australian Reptile Park
and Currumbin Zoo.
(www.markwebberchallenge.com)
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The story so far
• Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is a
contagious cancer that is spread between
individuals, probably through biting. The foreign
cells of the tumour aren’t rejected by the animal’s
immune system because of a lack of genetic
diversity among Tasmanian devils.
• The first signs of the disease, which is restricted
to devils, were observed in 1996. Small lumps in
and around the mouth develop into large tumours
on the face and neck. Once the cancer becomes
visible, death usually follows within months.
• The program to Save the Tasmanian Devil is a
joint strategy of the Australian and Tasmanian
Governments. It features an insurance population
strategy, collaborative laboratory-based
investigations of the disease, and diseasesuppression programs of wild populations.
• There has been a 53 per cent decline in
spotlighting sightings since the first report of the
disease. DFTD has been confirmed at 61 different
locations across more than 60 per cent of the State
– the latest being Natone, south of Burnie. It is
likely to occur across the range of devils within five
years although currently, there is strong evidence
that the disease has not spread further west than
the Cradle Mountain area.
• The current Australian Government has promised
$10million to the Program over five years.
• In November 2007, the expert Threatened
Species Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)
recommended changing the status of the
Tasmanian
devil from
‘vulnerable’ to
‘endangered’
under
Tasmania’s
Threatened
Species Act.
Public generosity funds
further research
More than $117,000 in research grants and
scholarships have been awarded in the latest
grant allocation from the Save the Tasmanian Devil
Appeal, funded by generous public donations.
For a full list of grant recipients, go to:
www.tassiedevil.com.au/docs/ResearchGrant_
release.pdf
Better the devil you know
Participants at the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program
Genetics Workshop in Hobart last November (see
photo) decided it would be valuable to sequence the
complete genome of the Tasmanian devil using new
generation DNA sequencing technology.
The genome sequencing
team will be led by
Dr Vanessa Hayes,
from Children’s Cancer
Institute Australia for
Medical Research
(CCIA) in Sydney, who
has established the Devil
Sequencing Laboratory.
Vanessa recently joined
CCIA to establish a
state-of-the-art genomics
laboratory and head the
Cancer Genetics Group.
The Devil Sequencing Project will aid scientists’
understanding of the mechanisms behind the devil’s
inability to mount an immune response against the
tumour. Ultimately the aim is to establish targets to
generate an immune response in infected animals, or to
possibly produce a vaccine.
‘Animal models have been
extensively used to teach
us about human cancers.
We will also be providing
vital information about
evolution and decline in
Australian biodiversity
and how we can manage
this decline in the future,’
Vanessa said.
For more information on
the Devil Sequencing
Laboratory, visit
www.ccia.org.au
DevilDisease.Enquiries@dpiw.tas.gov.au • telephone (03) 6233 6556 • GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001
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Face to face with a devil
Wildlife Parks across Tasmania provide an opportunity to come face to face with Tasmanian devils. They play an
important role in conserving this unique species, as well as raising awareness of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease
(DFTD). The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, funded by both Tasmanian and Australian Governments, provides
in-principle support for the initiatives of these parks in helping to save this iconic animal.
Devils @ Cradle
Sheffield – www.devilsatcradle.com
Devils @ Cradle is a unique wildlife park concentrating specifically on Tasmanian
devils. All visitors receive a personally guided tour which ensures a close up and
educational experience, with the most spectacular being the night feeding tours. The
facility has an intensively managed captive-breeding program, which now houses 20
devils, and conducts a camera-based field monitoring program of wild devils with the
Cradle Mountain area.
“Our captive-breeding program is linked to the field monitoring program,” said Wade
Anthony, the managing director of Devils @ Cradle.
“Down the track, hopefully some of the animals we breed can be released back into the area and monitored via
tracking devices.”
Wings Wildlife Park
137 Winduss Road, Gunns Plains – www.wingswildlife.com.au
The family-run Wings Wildlife Park has undertaken guided tours for most schools on the
Tasmanian north-west coast.
“Our focus on awareness and education goes hand in hand with the Park’s captive
breeding program, which has a 100% success rate,” said Megan Wing, who operates the
park with husband Colin and son Josh.
Wings Wildlife Park is 35 minutes from Devonport, and offers on-site accommodation.
It caters for the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, and also boasts farm
animals, reptiles and fish. As well as breeding devils, they also breed owls, quolls,
bettongs and possums.
Kings Run Wildlife Tours
Arthur River, 14km south of Marrawah – www.kingsrun.com.au
Watching Tasmanian devils feasting on a carcass in the wild is a rare treat
for most tourists – even locals. But Geoff King, from Kings Run Wildlife
Tours, offers this truly unique and unforgettable experience on his 350ha
property.
‘I feel lucky that my family were cattlemen who chose this block as a
winter run five generations ago,’ explained Geoff, a beef producer and the
president of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust. ‘Today, the land has shown
that it’s got a completely different character.’
The western boundary of Kings Run, which is pounded by the Southern
Ocean, is a rugged foreshore studded with quartzite outcrops and an
abundance of shorebirds.
Continued next page....
DevilDisease.Enquiries@dpiw.tas.gov.au • telephone (03) 6233 6556 • GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001
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Face to face with a devil
....Continued from page 3
Zoo Doo Wildlife Park
Something Wild
620 Middle Tea Tree Road, Richmond
– www.zoodoo.com.au
2082 Gordon River Road, National Park –
www.somethingwild.com.au
Can Bengal Tigers help save the Tassie
Devil? The answer is yes, explains Trevor
Cuttriss from Zoo Doo Wildlife Park.
Something Wild and The Devils in
Danger Foundation Inc. (DIDF) is
committed to saving the Tasmanian
devil through the unique ‘No Injury’
breeding program. This is the only
breeding program of its type in the
world, designed and endorsed by
experts in Devil Captive management.
“We’re different to other parks in that
we have large numbers of exotic and
agricultural animals, as well as native
species,” said Trevor. “This variety means
we attract many visitors – and once they’re
through the gate, we can educate them
about Tasmanian devils and DFTD.”
In 2007, Zoo Doo built a glass-fronted
devil exhibit, and is looking to further
increase their devil numbers through a
breeding program. Zoo Doo also runs
guided bus tours through the 33ha farm,
allowing visitors to get ‘up close and
personal’ with the animals.
The program is designed to humanely breed captive devils to
maximize the genetics in our clean captive population before it’s too
late. This program aims to raise the standard in captive breeding.
A primary world class quarantine ‘no injury’ breeding facility, to train
animal handlers and incorporating “off display” quarantine breeding
and holding pods to breed devils humanely, will be constructed in
2008.
Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park
Port Arthur Highway, Taranna – www.tasmaniandevilpark.com
Photo: Alan Jennison
The Tasmanian Devil Conservation park is involved in a number of
research projects to help the save the Tasmanian devil.
In 2007, the Tasman Founder Project saw them release back into the
wild orphaned devils (from sick mothers from the Forestier Peninsula)
that were hand-raised by volunteer carers before being held for a
year in quarantine by the Park. These devils were released with
satellite tracking collars to trace their movements and survival on the
peninsula. Another project is attempting to selectively breed devils
with greater ability to survive the Devil Facial Tumour Disease.
In 2008, the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park will open its latest
cutting-edge Tasmanian devil displays.
East Coast Natureworld
Tasman Highway, Bicheno – www.natureworld.com.au
East Coast Natureworld owners Bruce and Maureen Englefield have
donated the use of 11ha of land to establish the Devil Island Project
– a wild population of disease-free breeding devils.
“My Masters Degree is in animal behaviour,” Bruce said. “My focus
is on preserving the wild behaviour of devils so they can be released
directly into the wild.”
Work has already begun on a double security fence system to enclose Devil Island.
Ten Tasmanians, “The Devil Islanders” (see picture), are training for the London Marathon to raise $130,000 toward
financing the project. With an average age of 56, they’re putting their bodies on the line to save their iconic animal.
Continued next page....
DevilDisease.Enquiries@dpiw.tas.gov.au • telephone (03) 6233 6556 • GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001
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www.tassiedevil.com.au
Face to face with a devil
....Continued from page 4
Bonorong Wildlife Conservation Centre
593 Briggs Road, Brighton – www.bonorong.com.au
A dedicated team of wildlife and eco-tourism experts took over the
management of Bonorong Wildlife Conservation Centre in late 2007,
transforming the long-time sanctuary into a centre for conservation and
education.
“Devil conservation is an important part of our new focus,” said conservation
director, Dr Sally Bryant. “This includes public education about DFTD, as well
as devil roadkill, and how people can be involved.
“We have 14 devils on site, and our personalised keeper tours include devil
ecology, life history and latest research.”
Bonorong Wildlife Conservation Centre provides rehabilitation services for native Tasmanian orphaned or injured
wildlife, on and off site, using a network of half-way properties and specialised volunteers.
Devil’s Heaven at Launceston Lakes
1166 Ecclestone Road, Riverside – www.launcestonlakes.com
The Launceston Lakes Devil Orphan Program was established in 2004 when they
agreed to adopt and raise the orphaned devils of mothers with DFTD.
“At the time, no-one knew if the babies would also be infected,” said Drew Williams,
Zoologist at Launceston Lakes. “But one of the many things we’ve learnt from this
transmission trial is that mothers don’t pass on DFTD to their young.
“Today, all the animals remain disease free. We even have three devils that are secondgeneration descendants of the original orphans.”
Nestled in the foothills of the Tamar Valley, Launceston Lakes adjoins native bush. The
large enclosures allow visitors to experience wildlife in a natural environment.
Trowunna Wildlife Park
1892 Mole Creek Road, Mole Creek – www.trowunna.com.au
First established in 1979, Androo Kelly’s Trowunna Wildlife Park lays
claim to pioneering the captive management of devils.
Today, Trowunna has 22 devil enclosures housing 46 animals. It’s
an institutional member of the Australasian Regional Association
of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) and a member of the
Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping (ASZK).
Trowunna has bred devils every year since 1985, complete with detailed
stud records. Moreover, Androo’s ARAZPA-accredited Tasmanian devil
management course, conducted since 2001, is being attended by
zookeepers across Australasia, the US, and Europe – particularly by
staff from wildlife parks, chosen to house insurance-population devils.
Trowunna prides itself on its cutting-edge approach to wildlife management and education.
DevilDisease.Enquiries@dpiw.tas.gov.au • telephone (03) 6233 6556 • GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001
6
www.tassiedevil.com.au
Round the Traps
Devils unleashed for Mardi Gras
The Tasmanian gay and lesbian community entered
a ‘Tassie devils’ float in this month’s 30th anniversary
Sydney Mardi Gras Parade.
event, which draws a crowd of more than half a
million (while millions more watch on TV).
“Our aim was to raise awareness
of the Tasmanian gay community
in a fun, positive manner, while
raising funds for Tasmanian devil
research,” said Mark Howell,
representing the Tasmanian Gay
and Lesbian Community Centre
(www.gaytas.com).
Mark said that the response to the
project was overwhelming - from
the numbers of people wanting to
march in the parade, right through
to the businesses raising money for
devil research.
Close to 100 Tasmanian devil
marchers took part in the glittering
Punk for the devil
Sydney punk band Andorra recently
organised Punk for the Devil – an event
in which 15 punks bands came together
to record versions of ‘Do they know it’s
Christmas?’ and ‘We Are the World’. The
bands made the songs and music videos
available for download through the ‘music
forte’ website:
www.musicforte.com/member/pftd
Chemical levels in
Tasmanian devils
As part of the disease investigation, samples
from healthy and DFTD-infected devils have
been analysed to look for traces of a range
of identified chemicals. Although some
chemicals were detected in some of the
samples (both healthy and diseased) further
work is being undertaken to determine if
there is a link to the Devil Disease.
Black and
White Day
Jot this date in your diary…Friday,
May 16 is the second annual
‘Black and White Day’. Last year,
nine-year-old Hobart schoolboy
Nature Nic (as Nic Bonnitcha
prefers to be known) helped
raise more than $10,000 for Devil
Disease research.
This year, students are again
being encouraged to make a goldcoin donation for the opportunity
to wear black and white clothes
to school. Maybe your workplace
could also join the fun!
A toast !
After learning of the
Devil Disease during
a Tasmanian holiday,
newly-engaged Skye
Walton and Simon
Abraham asked their
family and friends
to donate to the
Save the Tasmanian
Devil Appeal, rather
than buy gifts. Their
generosity raised
more than $1,000 for
the Program.
SAVE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL newsletter
• Written by Janette Kirkman • Designed by Emil Kolbe
DevilDisease.Enquiries@dpiw.tas.gov.au • telephone (03) 6233 6556 • GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001